January 13, 2008

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As an African-American, I'm frankly insulted that the Obama campaign would imply that we are so stupid that we would think Bill and Hillary Clinton, who have been deeply and emotionally involved in black issues when Barack Obama was doing something in the neighborhood that I won't say what he was doing, [but] he said it in his book.

Then reels it back in, or at least tries, in a statement from the Clinton campaign:

My comments today were referring to Barack Obama's time spent as a community organizer and nothing else. Any other suggestion is simply irresponsible and incorrect.

And Obama campaign pushes the grievance theme, with a press release (after the jump) that begins:

Former State Representative “I.S.” Leevy Johnson of Columbia, one of the first three African-Americans elected to the South Carolina General Assembly after Reconstruction, today said it was “offensive” for Senator Clinton to stand silently while one of her surrogates launched a divisive and personal attack against Senator Obama.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Former State Representative “I.S.” Leevy Johnson of Columbia, one of the first three African-Americans elected to the South Carolina General Assembly after Reconstruction, today said it was “offensive” for Senator Clinton to stand silently while one of her surrogates launched a divisive and personal attack against Senator Obama:

“It’s offensive that Senator Clinton literally stood by and said nothing as another one of her campaign’s top supporters launched a personal, divisive attack on Barack Obama,” said Johnson. “For someone who decries the politics of personal destruction, she should’ve immediately denounced these attacks on the spot.”

As he was introducing Senator Clinton at a town hall meeting at Columbia College this afternoon, BET founder Bob Johnson said: “As an African-American, I am frankly insulted that the Obama campaign would imply that we are so stupid that we would think Hillary and Bill Clinton, who have been deeply and emotionally involved in black issues when Barack Obama was doing something in the neighborhood that I won’t say what he was doing that he said it in his book,” he said.

Last month, Billy Shaheen, the co-chair of Clinton’s New Hampshire campaign, was asked to step down from the campaign for suggesting that Senator Obama’s drug use as a teenager would be used against him in the campaign.

Thats horrible. You would think with all the scurvy nasty stuff the Clintons paraded in front of us for so long - Monica and the dirty blue dress and having the armed state trooper fetch Paula Jones so Clinton could demand a blow job from her and raping Juanita Broaddrick - you would think they wouldn't pull this crap. But you'd be wrong because they have no character and no shame.

The entire premise of the Clinton spin-machine is that the American people are too stupid to see beyond their word-play. This is perhaps the worst spin I've ever seen. He was referring to community organizing?!?! Are you kidding me? We're not THAT stupid.

Hillary Clinton, you said on "Meet the Press" that you fire everyone who engages in this kind of ridiculous politiking. Your husband didn't come forward with his drug use, it was exposed. He denied inhaling, and for over a decade we still here jokes about that. Barack Obama, under no pressure to do so, came forward about his own drug use and didn't stop there! He went on to make himself into a role model to everyone like me, who was a past user and now reformed. Hillary, DENOUNCE HIM!

umm..."when Barack Obama was doing something in the neighborhood that I won't say what he was doing but he said it in his book."
WHY wouldn't you want to mention 'community organizing'? i just don't understand how ppl keep drinking clinton kool-aid.

With all due respect to BET's former owner, all that he offered before he sold the company was crappy tv. The station looks somewhat more informative since he left. Who cares what he says now since he endorsed Clinton a while back.

And don't try to link this press release to my campaign or the fact that I am trying to link it to past events, as I've said, we have nothing to do with this story being publicized. I am the one. No black man can criticize me.

Over the past week the Clinton campaign has become obsessed with "he said" vs "she said." Why not take a positive message out of the New Hampshire win and run with it?
Hillary just horrible today on Meet the Press -- spinning quotes and splitting hairs. Ick.
If the dems nominate Obama, I'll vote for him no matter what. If the dems nominate Clinton, I'll have to see who the Republicans nominate before I decide.

Are you kidding?! The Clintons have absolutely been underhandedly and unapologetically pushing racial stuff for awhile now. I could never vote for her and I am a woman! The Bill and Hillary show will stop at nothing. So divisive they are and so unapologetic. The two of them. Please -no more Clintons!

What a joke. Obambi's drug use is fair game. No parent wants their child to look up to a President who had admitted past drug use. This is not a good story to help his candidacy which is why they always run to "home" and say "not it" when they are tagged. Pathetic.

The logic of the Clinton campaign's statement about Johnson's comment falls apart when you look at the quote:
"when Barack Obama was doing something in the neighborhood that I won't say what he was doing but he said it in his book."
What was there about "community organizing ", which is what Obama was doing, could not be commented about. There is nothing inappropriate about community organizing that would warrant not being able to speak about it. This appears to be another "Shaheen" moment from the Clinton camp. Disgusting!

As an African-American, I hate Bob Johnson. He has gotten wealthy by peddling the most vile and negative stereotypes about black people. It's shameful. No wonder he's backing Hillary. A black man like Obama as president would destroy his entire business model.

As an African American, I'm frankly insulted that this fool Founder of the Great Disgrace to Black Culture That Is BET would imply that we are so stupid that we would think he actually meant to refer to Obama's community organizing days when he said Obama was "doing something in the neighborhood".
I'm with you Miki, why would he need to refrain from mentioning his community organizing days? And furthermore, (this is the real kicker) wasn't Barack deeply involved in Black issues as a community organizer on the South Side in Chicago? I mean, the logic here is perplexing.
I mean, they couldn't even get real Black Democratic leaders to stand up for them. They went out and got this man who has done more to denigrate the Black community and perpetuate negative stereotypes about us than any other person I know. What kind of weight did they think he would hold? I mean, really...

It's one thing when Andy Cuomo talks about shuck and jive and Bill Shaheen alludes to drugs at a distance but Johnson said this as he was introducing Hillary at a town hall meeting. But of course she will claim that she didn't know about his remarks in advance (unlikely). The Clintons and their loyalists are the most cynical, divisive, destructive group in democratic party politics. I am an Obama supporter and I would support Edwards as the nominee but if Hillary runs, I will either stay home, vote for Bloomberg or vote for McCain.

It just never ends with those Clintons. Can anybody possibly, possibly imagine her as the nominee, much less president? I really thought nothing else would surprise me. Sad, sad, sad. And there are folks that just can't wait to vote her in. What am I missing?

We are all to blame for the Clinton still being in elected politics. They came on the national scene in 1992 with reputations as being liars and thieves, we didn't listen. In 1998 he wagged his finger at us while lying through his teeth, we defended his actions. They have been lying since we met them, why on Earth do we expect them to change now?

From a commenter at The Washington Note:
It is fairly apparent from today's Meet the Press interview that the Clinton campaign is posturing to invite the Obama campaign to engage vigorously on the race topic so Barack Obama can be painted in South Carolina as the "race card candidate" in his delicate efforts to woo the African-American community of voters. The product of this Macchiavellian framing effort can subsequently be broadcast nationwide for the February 5th votes, so Clinton II can have its "Sista Souljah Moment of Glory 2.0" as they destroy the "Fairy Tale" well beyond the hallowed halls of old Dartmouth.

David, this is when I take away your Clinton Kool-Aid. By the way, I sent a complaint to the FDA about the Clinton Kool-Aid and it's harmful effects including, but not limited to; impaired judgment, impaired foresight, impaired hindsight, impaired sight, lazy eye, and constipation. Anyways... if Obama's past drug use is fair game, then so is PardonGate. So is Bill's admitted use(even if he didn't inhale!), so is so much ridiculous ammunition that is not only rusty but dull and ineffective, lacking substance or use, etc. Barack Obama admitted his drug use and used it to show young kids that, "hey, you can make mistakes, JUST LEARN FROM THEM." By contrast, Bill Clinton taught us, "you can make mistakes, just know how to spin the truth!"

Miki,
It makes good sense if you check out the nature of that "community organizing" This is a double-dip for the Clinton's. The drug use stays in the news through denial and attention is (that's the hope) focused on BHO's role in a Southside development scam that turned Tony Rezko, Hot Dog Vendor into a real estate developer. Mr Johnson has some family connections that were burned by Team Rezko.

David,
I agree that the issue of past drug use does not help Obama. But do you agree that the Clinton campaign is being entirely disengenuous when they say that Johnson was refering to Obama's "community organizing" in the neighborhood rather than his drug use? That just does not pass the giggle test for me. Do you actually believe the Clinton campaign on this point?

If Clinton has something to say, be a woman and come out and say it. All this innuendo and code words play is disgusting. If I was Michelle, I would go and b***** slap Hillary. I will never vote for Hillary ever.

David and others - What I find most interesting in these primaries is how people get so carried away with their emotions/support for a candidate, that they simply refuse to consider what is going on. It leads some people to defend stuff that they under normal circumstances would never even consider condoning. Well yes, his drug use is fair game, everybody knows about it. Bringing it up in such a way while introducing Clinton at a campaign event - how can you support that? Have your ever heard someone introduce Obama saying that "Obama worked for the American people as a state senator while other people had some stuff going on in the Oval office, I'm not gonna tell you what exactly, but it has been written about.". Lets not get too emotional about this stuff, take a big step back and then if some of you can still defend this statement, I'm willing to listen.

This is beginning to make me sick to my stomach. The Democratic Party, the party I have backed against conservative and traditional views that hold our country hostage, is now fighting over race. I cannot be more appalled. I am so annoyed with not only the Clinton campaign, who clearly decided to make race a strategy, but also some members of Black America that are now riding to Sen. Clinton's aide. These same Black Americans that were outraged by Imus are now okay with statements about drug dealing, "jiving," and all these other racially motivated statements that have coming weekly out of the Clinton campaign. I am so disappointed. What would MLK think? What would the Kennedy boys think? What would all those young men and women that put their life on the line think? I am disgusted. In the course of just a couple weeks we have went from healing the nation's racial wombs, to now re-entrenching them. Who are we to thank for this? "The first black president and his wife." I thought we were a better country and a better party than that. That is why I have spent the past couple weeks in utter disappointment as I have seen this play out. And I am going to fault the Obama campaign too, as they are continuing to press the issue. I 100% understand pointing our racism where it exists, but let's remember that this campaign started out to transcend race, to stay focused on the issues ... please, Barack, do not stoop to her level. The damage to her campaign has been done. The Clintons have been exposed as valuing power over the welfare and dignity of some Americans. Their respect in the black community can never be recovered. Stay focused, Barack, win Nevada and S.C. and see what happens on Feb. 5.

David, this is when I take away your Clinton Kool-Aid. By the way, I sent a complaint to the FDA about the Clinton Kool-Aid and it's harmful effects including, but not limited to; impaired judgment, impaired foresight, impaired hindsight, impaired sight, lazy eye, and constipation. Anyways... if Obama's past drug use is fair game, then so is PardonGate. So is Bill's admitted use(even if he didn't inhale!), so is so much ridiculous ammunition that is not only rusty but dull and ineffective, lacking substance or use, etc. Barack Obama admitted his drug use and used it to show young kids that, "hey, you can make mistakes, JUST LEARN FROM THEM." By contrast, Bill Clinton taught us, "you can make mistakes, just know how to spin the truth!"

I don't see the problem. Even if he referred to Barrack's drug use, he didn't distort Barrack's own admittance of using drugs. I support Barrack, but I think all of us need to calm down and quit hyping up the use of race in this election.

So no one can bring up Obambi's drug use? He admitted it and it's fair ground. This is politics, perhaps even Chicago politics. This story is getting old and wearing on voters who are still trying to pick a nominee.

Didn't the Obama campaign just yesterday and his supporters just this morning say the campaign had nothing to do with the "talking points" being disseminated to SC supporters? You deny and then turn around and issue a press release linking two different events . . . if you can assume he was referring to drug use, I will assume your campaign is trying to refer to race to try and win. If you win SC, expect it to be illegitimized.

And you think the Clintons with his compulsive womanizing and her pathetic enabling but choosing to stay together to preserve their power are good role models??? Oh and I forgot, their compulsive lying, finger pointing, blaming everyone but themselves. I admire Obama for owning up to his youthful mistakes. The Clintons couldn't even own up to their adult mistakes.

MPT: His campaign has issued a press release that tries to link two events with one unifier- the use of race. Look at the entire story Ben posted and the press release his campaign issued today. I was hoping the past stories about his campaign's SC press secretary were untrue, but now with this press release today, I am having real doubts. I'd much sooner vote for no one than vote for more of the same. How different he has become. Or perhaps I never knew he.

While Johnson's "clarification" of his comments is ridiculously unbelievable, it highlights what Obama was doing. He gave up a job on Wall St. and showed how "deeply and emotionally involved in black issues" he was by working with the people on the streets and registering people to vote. He doesn't need to play the "race card" in order to get votes, he just needs to let people know his biography.

Simply put, this guy is an idiot who's joke wasn't so funny and now the spin machine is on. It is obvious Clinton is trying to bait him into a race conflict because they will be able to paint that image onto him no matter how hard he tries to back away from it.
Her comments on MTP were dishonest and desperate. I follow the campaign trail daily and I tell you what, her campaign is filled with so much BS it is disgusting. Everyday they are spinning this and that while a surrogate thows grenades at her opponents.
She is so desperate to win she is going to drag the entire party down with her. All you have to do is look at the electorate and how unpopular she is. In the general she will lose the red and purple states and take down all dem nominees with her. She is splitting the party in half and old Bill is really destoying whatever legacyit was he once had with Dems.

JC, I am not complaining about the obvious tactic of bringing up Obama's previous drug use. I am complaining about the blatant lie from the Clinton campaign that Johnson's comments did not refer to that drug use. Instead, Clinton campaign now claims that Johnson was refering to Obama's time as a community organizer. Do you actually believe that? All this Rovian crap turned me off when Republicans were doing it. Why is it more acceptable to lie in a primary?
NEXT QUESTION, When exactly did the Obama campaign play the race card? Just because idiots like Donna Brazile are doing it, does not mean you ought to blame the Obama campaign for doing it. This is classic Clinton/Rove politics. You muddy the water and then everyone looks dirty by association. Be clear about who is doing what and demand candidates to take responsibility for their words, their actions, and the words/actions of their campaigns.
So no one can bring up Obambi's drug use? He admitted it and it's fair ground. This is politics, perhaps even Chicago politics. This story is getting old and wearing on voters who are still trying to pick a nominee.

I will even agree with you that the Talking points thing was very unfortunate, although no clear connection to the Obama campaign has been made (if this is wrong, give me links please). But to say that Obama started the race thing is just nonsense. The MLK comment was not racist but stupid and Obama never claimed something else. But still, you have thousands of Hillary supporters running around scared yelling that he played the race card. Why? I don't understand you folks I guess...

I should be angry at this latest ridiculous comment by a Clinton surrogate, but I'm with Obama: simply depressed. I'm sure that some of the comments over the last couple of days weren't intentional, but these were. We'll keep calling the Clinton campaign on it.

MPT: Look at the press release. Two different events: today's and the Shaheen incident. If you don't believe the BHO campaign was behind the talking points incident then why hasn't the campaign said their SC press secretary never sent it out? They have been tight lipped about it as has been reported here and elsewhere. Not wanting to believe it and believing it are two different things. Your candidate continues to drive the race story day after day.

If the Clinton campaign wants to talk about drug use, then it's time to talk about bimbo eruptions, Lewinsky, Vince Foster, travelgate, whitewater, renting out the Lincoln bedroom... well, you get the idea.

Former Obama Supporter, David - Have YOU read the release? It doesn't even mention race! It is about divisive, personal attacks and the quotes are not even from Obama, but from some guy that as far as I know is not involved in any campaign. So, no racism there, whooops! You are just making things up in order to blame Obama.

I've posted before but it bears repeating.... the Clintons only care about power. They are willing to continue to smear a rising star in the democratic party through innuendo and distortion and do so behind their surrogates so that she can try to remain above the fray........
She doesn't care if this fractures the democratic party. Hillary's attitude seems to be "Well, if I can't be president, neither will any of you."..... I am getting sick of the Clintons. Time to turn the page and move on.

David - Look, you guys don't believe anything we say without us providing a link, so I'm having a hard time here because I don't know the story that well.
Even if it was true that they sent this out, does it really justify - as Clinton did today on MTP - to blame everything that happened on Obama? Is that the principle: Throw heaps of mud at your opponent and wait until some little bit comes back and then play the victim? Are you falling for this?

I already talked about the RACISM charge and two DIFFERENT events, they are obviously not that different, both times personal attacks that I consider to be below the line of what can be expected in political discourse in this country.

Has Obama run any negative ads yet?
If he hasn't, it's time to. All these recent statements out of the Clinton campaign need to be strung together and plastered across TV screens everyday 'til February 5.

It's amazing that liberals claim republicans are the racists but it's really them. But beyond the sheer pettiness of the Dem race ought to make you question whether any of them are qualified to be president. They all agree on raising taxes and buying votes with other people's money

You have to be kidding. Who cares. Bob Johnson is the same man who created meaningless entertainment for BET for the sole purpose of building is billion dollar empire. He doesn't represent the AA community, never has - never will. The campaigns would do better to get beyond gender politics and race pandering to get back to their agenda. Barack has a lot to lose in this competition, but so does Hillary. The same people she and Bill mock now, are fully capable and poised for McCain support, or someone else. Hillary is pitiful.

Sheehan mentions Obama has a middle name of Hussein. Kerrey mentions Obama has a middle name of Hussein, is a Muslim and did drugs. Now Johnson mentions Obama did drugs. Hillary and Bill are "embarrassed" and "apologetic" about each one and disavow such talk. Right!! They, however, continue with the little ?slips? to keep the fires burning. Anyone notice a pattern here? All Democrats must be so very proud.

Hillary Clinton is so disengenious it's pathetic. Her "surrogate" media whore happens to be the founder of BET Network (BLACK EXPLOITATION TELEVISION). This network has done more to promolgate negative stereotypes of African Americans than any network in the history of media. This nitwit promoting Hillary's divisive agenda is fitting considering what he has done to make African Americans have to fight that much harder to succeed in life. What a loser!!!

This is just so sad right now. This really is getting to a point where it might very well tear the Democratic Party apart before an election that should be a gimme. I know why Hillary is doing this, but it's just killing me to see her go through with it.

"The only people more unethical, disgusting, and immoral than the Clintons are the people who would vote for them, or support them."
That is a ridiculous statement. You are entitled to your opinion and others are entitled to theirs. To call people unethical, disgusting, and immoral because they vote for someone you don't approve of is over the top and stupid.

Remarkable, more race-baiting by surrogates as the Clintons go on and on about their "innocence". It's all so Lee Atwater-like: divide and conquer and deny, divide and conquer and deny, get everyone angry and turned-off, win with hate and negativity. Obama has to ignore it all, stay on change and unity, and hopefully some clear-minded patriots will step up and defend him. Remember what Bush did to McCain in SC? That's a preview of what Obama has headed his way.

Today Bob Johnson, founder of (BET)Black Exploitation Television, made comments about Senator Barack Obama while campaigning with Senator Hillary Clinton in South Carolina, in her quest to become President of the United States. Of all the people she could have stood side by side with today, why Bob Johnson? On the eve of the possibility of electing the first African American or woman as President of the United States, why on earth would Hillary Clinton associate herself with a man that has spent his life?s work trying to profit of the exploitation of African Americans, African American women and girls in particular?
Bob Johnson stands for everything Hillary Clinton OUGHT to be against. This man single-handedly set the cause of African Americans back hundreds of years. His exploitation of Black women and girls is particularly morally repugnant. Hillary Clinton is supposed to be a defender of the American worker, yet Bob Johnson made his billions at Black Entertainment Television by notoriously paying his on air talent slave wages.
To be sitting up in a the pulpit of a Black church grinning and laughing side by side with this multimedia crack cocaine dealer and pimp is the slap in the face of every Black woman and girl in this country.
Instead of repeating Bob Johnson?s comments on Senator Obama wholesale, reporters should be asking him about the circumstances under which his wife and BET cofounder left the company. They should ask him about his ?relations? with the female executives at his company. They should ask him why his own sister allegedly sued him and whether Johnson properly paid his taxes. All of these issues are raised in Johnson?s biography, The Billion-Dollar Bet. Bob Johnson is not an African American leader, he is a bottom feeder.
Let us not forget that for SIX YEARS Bob Johnson skirting broadcasting rules to broadcast some of the most vile disgusting depictions of African American women in cable television history. BET?s ? Uncut ? featured such cultural gems as:
?What That Thing Smell Like?, by Black Jesus
Shake It Like a Pitbull, by Cold Cannons
F@#king, by David Banner feat. Jazze Pha -
?P#$$y Licker?, DJ Slim -
?I Got That Drank?, Frayser Boy feat. Mike Jones and Paul Wall -
?Let Me See You?re @$$ Drop?, Joker the Bailbondsman -
?P#$$y Poppin'?, by Ludacris feat. Shawnna and Lil Fate
This is not okay. Would Hillary Clinton sit in a church pulpit with Larry Flint or Hugh Hefner? Then why is she sitting in a pulpit with Bob Johnson? Or is she only concerned about the degradation and exploitation of White women? Does her brand of feminism extend to Black women and girls too?
When Hillary Clinton sits side by side in an African American church with a noted misogynist and smut peddler she sends a clear message: she?s not overly concerned about the damage this man has caused African American girls and women. Does Senator Clinton care about our daughters? I don?t know. The Senator should seriously reconsider the company she is keeping. Bob Johnson is no friend of Black America or Black women and children..
http://whataboutourdaughters.blogspot.com/2008/01/am-i-going-to-have-to-get-obama-t-shirt.html

I wish an Obama endorser would just come out and say what everyone is thinking anyway: "Fine, nominate Hillary. And then, when more stories about Bill's post-White House shenanigans come out, the Republicans will win in a cakewalk." If the Democrats nominate Hillary, we all reap what we sow.

Wait a minute.
Bob Johnson, who made a few billion dollars by feeding the masses booty-shaker gangsta rap videos and making a mockery out of black culture, states that the Clintons have been "deeply and emotionally involved in black issues" and insinuates that Obama was using drugs instead of caring about these issues.
1. Can anybody tell me what the Clintons have done for black people besides play tenor sax on Arsenio and sing all three verses of Amazing Grace?
2. At the time WJC was Gov. of AR in the 80s (presumably part of the time Johnson was referring to), Obama would've been doing brainless things like graduating at the top of his class from Harvard Law School and beginning his career as an organizer, not using drugs.
Mr. Johnson, this is not the time to be a house Negro.

Dave wrote: What a joke. Obambi's drug use is fair game. No parent wants their child to look up to a President who had admitted past drug use. This is not a good story to help his candidacy which is why they always run to "home" and say "not it" when they are tagged. Pathetic.
Are you kidding me? Bill claimed he "didn't inhale." Is that a better message? Obama has been candid about his drug use, obviously learned from his mistakes, and now serves as a role model for others on the issue. On the other hand, I would never have my children emulate the Clintons. All they do is lie, cheat, and distort to get power. Just went I think they can't sink any lower... an article like THIS makes the headlines. They disgust me.

On cnn they showed a clip of Obama answering to Clinton's race baiting and him saying he never even commented on the MLK remark she made.
then they showed Hillary in front of an audience out right lying about Obama. Just lying.
This woman is awful and should never be allowed to serve in any capacity again. she is unfit.

So now anyone who wants to run for President needs to be criticized for something they did in high school? Really, are we going to not elect someone because they *gasp* did drugs as a teenager?
I'm more concerned with Hillary Clinton being a Republican and an avid supporter of Barry Goldwater, but I don't bring that up when I'm introducing Obama to town hall meetings firstly because it has nothing to do with the issues and secondly because it took place in High School!

The NY Daily News provides an interesting "sniff test" of the Johnson comments and the Clinton campaign explanation:
"Below you will find what BET boss Robert Johnson said today about Barack Obama, and what he said later. But first, we would like you to guess before reading the second statement what Johnson was referring to in Obama?s past, that Obama wrote about, that Johnson dared not speak out loud:
A - Obama?s communitiy organizing
B - Obama?s raising a family in Chicago
C- Obama?s dalliances with drugs when hed was younger.
Morning quote: ?As an African American, I am frankly insulted that the Obama campaign would imply that we are so stupid that we would think Hillary and Bill Clinton, who have been deeply and emotionally involved in black issues when Barack Obama was doing something in the neighborhood that I won?t say what he was doing that he said it in his book.?

Everybody,
Ben is covering for his "girl". He edited out comments Bob Johnson made where he mocked Obama's call for unifying change by using Sidney Poitier and the movie "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" in his comments.
This is obviously a slap at Obama claiming he's some sort of Uncle Tom because he wants cultural unity and, even more disgusting, it's an attack on the interracial marriage of his parents.
Sick. The democratic party is as racist as the Republican one, even the black people in the dem party will attack black people racially. I hope she gets beaten and beaten bad in SC.

I feel sorry for the Clintons..
They are just doing what they have allways done, say the caustic things they have allways said.
They jsy havent had to do it against one of their own and a black candidate at that.
They are learning as they go.
Lets give them some slack!
LOL!

I'm willing to swear that should Clinton win the Democratic nomination(something that is by no means a done deal) she will not win the general election because of the amount of enemies she's now creating in her own party. Let alone the 50 percent or so who were already intent of voting against her from the start; the woman will have no chance what so ever, and I can see why someone like Mccain would prefer running against her.

Bob Johnson huh. This is the same guy who sold BET to Viacom, took his money, and with it watched it's programming and reflection of black youth go down the drain. As a African- American I don't have a problem with other African- Americans supporting Clinton, in fact it's nice to know that people aren't voting on race or gender. But I have to say that I'm getting tired of older African-Americans supporting Clinton and being the first ones to jump on a live wire to defend them. What this is really about is some of these guys ran to support the Clintons during the summer when she looked liked the nominee and now that things look a little shaky, now trying to cover their tales to stay relevent because if Obama wins, the Bob Johnsons, Andrew Youngs, John Lewis', and Al Sharptons(Who thinks he's slick by staying neutral on an endorsement) will be deamed "hasbeens" by the younger black community. Hillary is a grown woman and should be able to defend herself, I mean she is running for President. Isn't she?

It is nice to see that there are some critics of Hussein Obama in the Black Community. I was starting to think that all the blacks would vote for a black and ignore quality, education, background, experience and lifestyle.
-----------------------------------
Bubbah did drugs, according to his bro he had a nose like a vacuum cleaner and it looked like it the other day. Bubbahs nose was red and puffy and looked like he had been socializing with "Suds" Kennedy to much. -------------------------- I feel comfortable that Hillary had no connection to the BET dude talking about Husseins skills as a druggie.

Why don't you mention the truly outrageous part of Bob Johnson's hateful statement? He said (speaking of Obama):
?That kind of campaign behavior does not resonate with me, for a guy who says, ?I want to be a reasonable, likable, Sidney Poitier ?Guess Who?s Coming to Dinner.? And I?m thinking, I?m thinking to myself, this ain?t a movie, Sidney. This is real life.?
As a civil rights advocate and teacher, I can tell you this is code speech just short of a racial slur. This guy has no business calling himself pro-civil rights and uttering this type of hateful remark. The issue now is not whether the Clintons have been racist in the past, but whether they will allow themselves to benefit from racist rhetoric while sitting back, applauding, and later distancing themselves from it. Despicable!

Let me preface this comment by saying that while a Hillary supporter, up until today I respected Obama, and the Obama campaign, and if they'd won the nomination would have supported him, and voted for him. However, if he, his supporters, his surrogates, and his advocates continue this pathetic attempt to paint Bill and Hillary Clinton as closeted bigots and racists, I won't just NOT vote for him, I'll work my heart out to make sure he NEVER gets elected. He better remember that while blacks make up a sizable chunk of the Democratic Party, whites make up a FAR, FAR LARGER CHUNK, and using smears and phony charges of racism is going to alienate them from those white voters faster than they can say VOTE.

Keep'Em Separated
Black people wanted to believe that the Clinton were different, but their true colours came through. It is only a matter if time before white people will remind black people of their "PLACE", as long as they know their place they will; get along with with people.
(For people od Colour)
"I trust a black man until he proves me wrong and I do not trust a white man until he proves me right."

hotnuke - I'm amazed. So where exactly do you see Sen. Obama saying anything negative about the Clintons? Why are some people, apparently without any need for proof, suddenly assuming that Obama accused someone of racism, when he clearly has not? This is weird.

Isn't the fact that Obama was open about his youthful drug use and THEN totally turned it around...went to and graduated from Columbia, became a community organizer in Chicago, went to Harvard Law and graduated magna cum laude while becoming the first black president of the Harvard Law Review, then turned down a supreme court clerkship and joined a civil rights law firm back in Chicago, became a constitutional law professor at one of the most respected law schools in the country, got elected to the Illinois legislature for 4 terms (same as Abraham freakin' Lincoln), was right about Iraq from the get-go, then got elected to the US Senate, has passed more of his own bills in 3 years than Hillary has in 7, and has run a superb campaign...isn't that all QUITE INDICATIVE of what kind of individual Obama is? And Rovert Johnson is dissing Obama's high shcool drug use?

The Clintons stoop lower, and divide the party even further. They really are experts at dividing people. This is just sick and disgusting. And will someone please answer this: what exactly did Bill and Hillary do for black people in any substantive way? I don't recall any landmark civil rights legislation during the Clinton administration.

BJ is a billion dollar jerk. One more example of the black elite trying to dictate its will plantation-style to the "field hands."
Disgusting! Especially the "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" reference which somebody duly noted as a swipe at Obama's mixed parentage.
BET wrote the template for blaxploitation on TV. Obama doesn't need friends like this.

I am utterly disgusted with the HRC campaign's behavior since NH. They had a chance to engage in a strong and rich campaign debate with the Obama campaign, and they have thrown it away in nihilistically cynical Machiavellianism.
Effectively they're trying the same South Carolina strategy that worked for Bush against McCain in 2000, but this time across the US. It's at the same stage in the campaign, but on a larger field.
I would never have thought that HRC would be taking a page from the Karl Rove handbook of political dirty tricks. I wanted to believe the best about her campaign. Now I realize I would have been closer to the truth had I believed the worst.
This must be stopped, and stopped now. Edwards has been doing good service on this, but more people who have supported Clinton in the past must let her know that this sort of behavior by her shills and, to be frank, by she herself will not be tolerated.
It is understandable that they're running scared, but this is shameful and doing the Republicans' work for them. This is Bush-league stuff, folks.

Johnson's former company, BET, did nothing good for the black community. It stands for Booty Every Time. It degrades women and the black community as a whole.
As it pertains to the Clintons, I am done with them. I will not vote for her if she is the nominee.

MPT, while Barack himself has not gone as far as many of his advocates and surrogates, he has allowed this entire issue to fester since the New Hampshire Primary, when the very night of the primary, one of his CHIEF advocates, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson all but called the primary a racially motivated vote, citing the "Bradley" effect.
You may want to believe Barack is above the fray on this, or should I say, "kid yourself", but I and many other White Democrats are not buying it. He should have come out the instant any of these BS attacks were lodged and said they were BS. His silence is deafening, and his tactics are obvious. If he wants to be just another racial huckster like Sharpton, he'll find he might win the battle only to lose the war devastatingly. He had better watch his step.

I can handle BJ's comments. What get's me fired up is the HRC campaign issues a statement denying that he was referring to TEENage drug use. I saw his comments on the news and it reminded me of my mother's favorite joke:
"You gonna believe me or your lying eyes!"

hotnuke: First, Obama and his campaign have been very gracious about this. Most of the outrage has been raised by people outside of his campaign, like Clyburn, Brazile, etc. Second, there is nothing wrong if and when the Obama campaign cries foul and points out the Clinton's racist strategy; that is a very legitimate criticism. There is a big difference between crying racism when none is there, and pointing out racism that really does exist. Just because some in the past have engaged in race baiting, does not mean that true racist campaigning should not be pointed out or criticized. Indeed, that is the responsibility of everyone.

Seatalker, Kerry said Obama was a Muslim? No, he didn't say that. Obama is not a Mulim. Obama has never been a Muslim. People repeating this horrible garbage are sad and lost souls. I feel sorry for you.

To commenter:
Again, you go on believing that these phony charges of racism will resonate and win the race for Obama. The truth is though, if he continues this without shutting it down quickly TODAY, he's NEVER going to win the nomination or the election.

Bob Johnson is spot on!!! If you believe that the Clintons said anything racially insensitive, either you are incredibly stupid or you are a completely destructive political hack for Obama. There's no getting around it.
The Obama campaign has made this into the ugliest and dirtiest campaign and it is simply despicable. It speaks of Obama's destructive ambition that he would race-bait when it could mean strained race relations and damage to the Democratic Party. He is such a selfish b@st@rd!!! This is not the politics of hope but the politics of cynicism and dirt!!!
He thinks that African Americans are SO STUPID that they will swallow this hook, line and sinker. That is how low Obama thinks of African Americans. Remember Michelle Obama's comment that AAs who are not supporting Obama is not getting it? It's pretty consistent. They think African Americans are STUPID!!! They think that African Americans would not notice the fact that the Obamas have not done anything for the African American community. Contrast what Obama was doing at the time that the Clintons were fighting for civil rights - that will show you all you need to know about Obama.
And yet they claim victimhood - all for concealing the real news item today - Rezko's indictment. They profited off the twin purchase of the house and land. As early as when he was in the state legislature of Illinois - Obama has already been CORRUPT.
HE IS DESPICABLE!!!

Bob Johnson is spot on!!! If you believe that the Clintons said anything racially insensitive, either you are incredibly stupid or you are a completely destructive political hack for Obama. There's no getting around it.
The Obama campaign has made this into the ugliest and dirtiest campaign and it is simply despicable. It speaks of Obama's destructive ambition that he would race-bait when it could mean strained race relations and damage to the Democratic Party. He is such a selfish b@st@rd!!! This is not the politics of hope but the politics of cynicism and dirt!!!
He thinks that African Americans are SO STUPID that they will swallow this hook, line and sinker. That is how low Obama thinks of African Americans. Remember Michelle Obama's comment that AAs who are not supporting Obama is not getting it? It's pretty consistent. They think African Americans are STUPID!!! They think that African Americans would not notice the fact that the Obamas have not done anything for the African American community. Contrast what Obama was doing at the time that the Clintons were fighting for civil rights - that will show you all you need to know about Obama.
And yet they claim victimhood - all for concealing the real news item today - Rezko's indictment. They profited off the twin purchase of the house and land. As early as when he was in the state legislature of Illinois - Obama has already been CORRUPT.
HE IS DESPICABLE!!!

Bob Johnson is spot on!!! If you believe that the Clintons said anything racially insensitive, either you are incredibly stupid or you are a completely destructive political hack for Obama. There's no getting around it.
The Obama campaign has made this into the ugliest and dirtiest campaign and it is simply despicable. It speaks of Obama's destructive ambition that he would race-bait when it could mean strained race relations and damage to the Democratic Party. He is such a selfish b@st@rd!!! This is not the politics of hope but the politics of cynicism and dirt!!!
He thinks that African Americans are SO STUPID that they will swallow this hook, line and sinker. That is how low Obama thinks of African Americans. Remember Michelle Obama's comment that AAs who are not supporting Obama is not getting it? It's pretty consistent. They think African Americans are STUPID!!! They think that African Americans would not notice the fact that the Obamas have not done anything for the African American community. Contrast what Obama was doing at the time that the Clintons were fighting for civil rights - that will show you all you need to know about Obama.
And yet they claim victimhood - all for concealing the real news item today - Rezko's indictment. They profited off the twin purchase of the house and land. As early as when he was in the state legislature of Illinois - Obama has already been CORRUPT.
HE IS DESPICABLE!!!

Bob Johnson is spot on!!! If you believe that the Clintons said anything racially insensitive, either you are incredibly stupid or you are a completely destructive political hack for Obama. There's no getting around it.
The Obama campaign has made this into the ugliest and dirtiest campaign and it is simply despicable. It speaks of Obama's destructive ambition that he would race-bait when it could mean strained race relations and damage to the Democratic Party. He is such a selfish b@st@rd!!! This is not the politics of hope but the politics of cynicism and dirt!!!
He thinks that African Americans are SO STUPID that they will swallow this hook, line and sinker. That is how low Obama thinks of African Americans. Remember Michelle Obama's comment that AAs who are not supporting Obama is not getting it? It's pretty consistent. They think African Americans are STUPID!!! They think that African Americans would not notice the fact that the Obamas have not done anything for the African American community. Contrast what Obama was doing at the time that the Clintons were fighting for civil rights - that will show you all you need to know about Obama.
And yet they claim victimhood - all for concealing the real news item today - Rezko's indictment. They profited off the twin purchase of the house and land. As early as when he was in the state legislature of Illinois - Obama has already been CORRUPT.
HE IS DESPICABLE!!!

Where Obama's Journey Began
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CHICAGO, April 27, 2007
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(CBS) When Barack Obama arrived on Chicago's South Side, he was on a mission to help. The fires of the once-vibrant steel industry had already died, there were 326,000 people unemployed, and nearly 70 percent of public school children were living below the poverty line.
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"It was a lot of poverty there, but a lot of pride," says Loretta Augustine, a community activist.
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Chicago was in the midst of a political firestorm. Harold Washington, the city's first black mayor, had taken the reins and racial tensions were running high, CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric reports.
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It was at a church, in 1984, where Obama came to work as a community organizer for a faith-based group called the Developing Communities Project. He worked in Altgeld Gardens, a racially segregated housing project on Chicago's far South Side. In a city where political power means everything, the people of Altgeld were invisible.
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"To a great extent, we were powerless," Augustine says.
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Obama's challenge was to empower the impoverished residents of Altgeld Gardens and turn them into political players. But older members of the group were skeptical of the 23-year-old Columbia University graduate.
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"How was this kid gonna be any help to them?" says Gerry Kellman, who hired Obama.
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But over time, Obama earned their trust and figured out how to make those voices heard.
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"What Barack had to do was instill confidence in those folks," Kellman says.
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Then there was a crucial meeting: A representative from the mayor's office tried to take over ? and suddenly the South Side activist rose up.
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"From the back of the room came Barack's voice, and he says, 'We want to hear from Loretta. Let Loretta talk,'" Augustine recalls. "And in that instant, he changed the meeting and focused right back on our agenda."
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Today, still surrounded by 53 toxic waste dumps, Altgeld Gardens is often called "the toxic donut." In 1967, Augustine's 6-year-old daughter died of leukemia ? which she's convinced was caused by toxic waste. Yet no one was listening to the people in the neighborhood.
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"We found out there was a secret meeting in South Chicago on this issue and we had been excluded," she says.
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Obama and 300 community members marched to that secret meeting.
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"You cannot leave the community out of the process. It was so powerful," Augustine says.
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Most people stayed in that job for four months. Obama continued to fight for four years, cutting his teeth on community activism. ? the first measure of his leadership skills that are now being tested on a much larger stage.
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"Barack came here very idealistic, and he left much more practical," Kellman says.
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"He left, but he didn't leave us," adds Augustine. "We claim him."
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video--
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/04/27/eveningnews/main2737505.shtml

This is all very sad. All of this focus on race will undoubtedly be used to divide us. Obama has run a classy and honorable campaign and has never played the "race" card. He continues to take the high road -- appealing to our common American values and ideals. Senator Clinton (or at least her campaign) seems stuck in the divisive politics of the past. I hope this part of the campaign will end and that we can resume a discussion about the issues.

hotnuke - Again, I don't know what you are talking about. Sen. Obama has never accused anybody of racism. Race is not a topic in his campaign until this day and hopefully until the end. So where did you get the idea that he was playing the race card? Al Sharpton et al. have not even endorsed him, so I don't know what you mean, honestly.

Obama is a genuine hero for his work as a community organizer and should be celebrated as such. While he was serving the downtrodden, Bill Clinton was fooling around with some of his numerous women and Hillary was using strong arm tactics to cover up for him. That's the reality. What did the Clintons ever do for blacks? Name one substantive act...I've asked this before, but still no answers.

MPT:
Again, you go on believing that if you say Obama hasn't played the race card people are going to buy it. One of Obama's main advocates in the media, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson introduced race into this the night of the New Hampshire Primary, suggesting that the New Hampshire voters who voted for Hillary did so BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WANT TO VOTE FOR A BLACK MAN. This type of racial hucksterism has been going on all week by Obama supporters, tacit supporters, advocates in the media, and just plain Hillary-hating media types. The fact Obama has ALLOWED it to continue speaks volumes. His silence is DEAFENING, and if you believe he can get away with it you're a friggin' idiot. While any Democratic candidate needs a good chunk of the black vote, they all, including Obama need white voters even more. Do you SERIOUSLY think Obama's gonna win the nomination, let alone the general election with this BLATANT phony charging of racism, whether he's the one making the charges directly, or he's using his surrogates and advocates? He'll lose in a friggin' landslide. And it's sad as heck, because he DOES have the chance to heal this nation. It'll be sad if he follows the advice of morons and becomes just another racial huckster calling everyone who doesn't support him a racist.

I think that it is totally relevant for a black person to attack Obama. You see this is why Obama's campaign is running on race in South Carolina. I dont think that Barack Obama is at all framing that arguement, but people who are supporting him are sure doing a great job in doing that and it may cost Obama the nomination. We all know that Bill Clinton was a new south Democrat and for those who dont know what that is, it is southern politicans who basically want to bring together the white black races in the south and create equal oppurtunity. Also I think that it is totally unfair to say terible things about the Clintons, people forget that Bill Clinton was the first Democratic president to serve to full terms since Roosevelt. People forget that the Clinton administration was the most diverse in history. People forget that the Clinton administration achieved all of their successes by great odds because both of the houses of congress were controled by the Republicans. Also the supreme court chief justice was a right wing fanatic. Hillary Clinton has fought the republicans tooth and nail all of her public life. What does the Obama and Edwards campaings believe, that once in the white house the republicans are going to magically stop their attacks and give up their filibuster power in the congress? The Republicans will never agree to change made by the Democrats because they are not Democrats! It is going to take Bi-partisanship and standing up to their interest groups which pays for their campaigns. This is not going to be a cake walk in the least, people forget that Republicans might or might not respect Democratic leaders, but one thing is for sure and that is the fact that they hate our ideas and will do everything in their power to prevent the from being implemented. As for Obama, he doen't have to go negative, his croneys does it for him.

Ladies and Gentlemen, a great philosopher said "absolute power corrupts absolutely", this we see is very true. This campaign of hillary clinton has evolved into one of the most negative campaigns that I have ever seen. I am mixed, Italian-Black, and im an Independent pulling for Huckabee. I can play devils advocate for both sides because the clinton campaign has elevated race as an issue. I can not recall anytime in the Barack campaign that he directly issued statements calling the Clinton statements racist.The problem is not so much the people as it is the media. HRC understands that race is still a divisive issue. Robert Novak told the NY Times or Wall Street last december that HRC would play the race card. I have never heard in any of Barack's messsages since his first speech last year inject any subliminal comment of his race or Hillary's gender. It seems that Hillary is playing the "throw the rock hide your hand" game and she knows that many whites do not want to hear a mixed guy like Obama run a campaign about racism including I . However, I believe that Barack has dealt with this in the most positive manner and should be rewarded with admiration. I believe that this election is going to be historical but people lets not make it historical in a negative way but in a positive way. Remember, we all bleed red and we breath oxygen. Color or gender does not determine a persons ability or character. And, remember whether you believe in Creationsim or Evolution, all of us derived from one man and one woman and that makes each and everyone of you my brothers and my sisters.
We Are Family

I've never seen a white person able to comment on any black person, without the blacks screaming "racist" for sympathy.
Kudos....they are both playing into the hands of the Republicans, and it is disgusting.
Obama is really showing how he's really going to bring the parties together isn't he?
I was going to vote Obama, but now I will vote McCain.

I sure wish Jon Stewart's writers weren't on strike.
I can see the bit now: Robert Johnson speaking glowingly about Hillary Clinton while scenes from Ghetto Hot Mess play in the background. Then, Hillary's stump speech as the booty shaking continues.
s

Hillary is setting a record for how much and how quickly she can divide the Democratic party. It's really quite pathetic. And I am still waiting for someone to name one substantive contribution the Clintons have made to black Americans. Imagine if Hillary were not in this race, how much better an election it would be.

hotnuke - I was not aware and still doubt that Michael Eric Dyson is part of the Obama campaign. Can you give me a link verifying this? The same applies to actually all of the other leaders except Jackson Jr. (who did not talk about racism but criticized Hillarys tears). Look, not every black person on TV is part of the Obama campaign and actually, most prominent black leaders are not close to Obama. The criticized him for the whole summer for God's sake, don't you remember the whole "black enough" stories? Now if some people who have nothing to do with his campaign feel offended by Hillary's statements, why should that reflect in any way on Obama? He has stood up before to say that Sen. Biden was not a racist, he hopefully will do the same thing with the Clintons at some point.

But lets be honest here, right now, its the Clintons that are playing dirty.

it's now official. as a commmitted registered democrat, who wants to end the war in iraq, i will vote for john mccain over hillary clinton in a general election, should it come to that.
this is indisputable, unacceptable, race-baiting, and it is now part of an unmistakably deliberate pattern. that it comes from the mouth of an african-american is irrelevant.
this is not about civil rights, to which the clintons are committed. this is not about racism per se -- the clintons are not racist. this is about the willingness to disgustingly exploit racial divisions as a political tool to win elections.
from this point forward, i will never cast a ballot for hillary clinton.

Bob Johnson's comments are just as worthless as the one I'm submitting here. Bob is what we call an Uncle Tom. The first real chance a Black has to win the presidency and he forget's where he came from. I guess money will change you.

Why would you vote for an inexperienced, liberal Muslim former drug user? But then again, I guess we ARE talking about the Democratic party here. And yes, he's a Muslim...raised a Muslim, went to a Muslim school at one point...so just joining some liberal "Christian" church isn't going to sweep that under the rug.

Vote in your state's Democratic Primary! If you REALLY don't want to see HRC elected, then vote in your state's Primary Election as a Democrat - even if you voted as a Republican or Independent in the past - cast your vote in the Democratic Primary for someone other than HRC. Othewise the DNC will make sure Hillary becomes the Democratic nominee - remember, the DNC has already banned Florida's delegates (and some other states as well)from casting their votes in the DNC nominating convention for moving up their primary dates. The DNC wants to ensure the anointed one 'HRC' is coronated as planned. Then in the General Election, vote your conscience for the candidate and party of your choice - this is the only way to beat the Clinton machine. It's time other well qualified candidates in this country have a chance to serve this great country.

Can anyone here explain how what the Clintons said are racially insensitive? It boggles the mind that people can be this STUPID or DESTRUCTIVE!!!
The people posting here can be divided into IDIOTS (those attacking Hillary as using race or being racist) or DESTRUCTIVE POLITICAL HACKS FOR OBAMA (those attacking Hillary as using race or being racist) or those who are the voice of reason (those who see nothing wrong in what the Clintons said). Everyone here is playing the "political hack for Obama" role and it sickens me!! I'm really sorry, but Obama is a despicable person and is not worthy of anyone's vote - least of all - the African American's vote. He is a race-baiter and he is a selfish B@ST@RD! There are better African American candidates out there - WHY DID YOU FIELD THIS SELFISH, UNQUALIFIED AND LYING B@ST@RD?!?!?

From Josh Marshall's TPM: "Bobin' and Weavin'
Before I mentioned BET founder Bob Johnson's already notorious comments about Obama's youthful drug use. But just after those comments he said this ...
That kind of campaign behavior does not resonate with me, for a guy who says, ?I want to be a reasonable, likable, Sidney Poitier ?Guess Who?s Coming to Dinner.? And I?m thinking, I?m thinking to myself, this ain?t a movie, Sidney. This is real life.?
Still not racially charged? Reasonable? Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?
--Josh Marshall
Keep talking Bob Johnson.

Response to : Anduril919
Please cite where Obama has brought in his ethnicity to try to make his case for presidency i mean are you drunk or have you not read the boards, people are responding to what Clinton has said not Obama. He won in a state that was 95% white and most of his constituency and supporters are white so why would he alienate the very people who are voting for him. wake up and stop spinning the facts. Thankyou

Anduril919 wrote----I'm calling on every African American to not vote for this lying and selfish b@st@rd of a candidate that is Obama!!!----------I'm African American I think you lying and selfish b@st@rd of a blogger to call for this. Good luck to you idiot.

@ Anduril919 - How about this? I am a Republican. I have no horse in the Democratic field. I don't consider Hillary a racist but I think she is obviously a calculating, race-baiting piece of garbage! Who is the next surrogate she is going to roll out to spew her hateful venom?

Commenter, you are absolutely right. This infighting is exactly what the Clintons want. They want a race and gender war instead of a comparison on judgement and vision. They want to both race bait and then in the ultimate chutzpah, accse Obama of playing the race card.

Never before has the expression "Pot calling the kettle Black" ever been more appropriate.

Response To: Anduril919
I apologize for your childish comments but again I am an Independent who is pulling for Huckabee, but it also is very clear that its people like you that divide and conquer just as the HRC campaign and many others of the past have done. Heres a thought, instead of embarrasing yourself by calling me names just think for yourself and ask yourself why do I think the way i think or rather why can I not have an intelligent discussion without resolving to childish behavior. Have a good day.

BTW- I think Politico has just as much to do with making this election about race as anybody else i mean why are there 3 different articles on the front page displaying race or Obama i mean why arent there articles on the issues like immigration and economy and what president is saying about the coming recession i mean it feels like the 60's here on Politico, come on people we are missing the big picture

I struggle to see the issue here. If Obama is the chosen to lead the Democrats in the general election how is he going to respond when the Repulicans mount a full frontal assault on his drug useage and lack of experience? Is he going to be running to Oprah? It is time Obama realizes his past leaves a lot of questions to be answered and his past is going to be fare game for the Republicans.

If you still believe everything FOX News promotes, then you are really "naive". This so called round table experts are the worsest of American media. They misrepresent, they stir things up, they creat "stories", full of hate and torturing language...Give me a break. DOes anyone still remember those faces the day NH result in ? They can take that and shup their mouth if they don't report truth. One thing is clear. Americans are not that dumb to be fooled and fed by those guys. Heartless ! Shame !

Chuckles: I think Obama has already answered those questions. With regards to substance abuse, he has been very candid with that in his own book. Anyone who attacks him on that will find out as Hillary is finding out: it will backfire. With regards to experience, again, he has very adequately handled that question, with his own considerable experience, and the fact that other factors like judgement also matter. Plus, this is a change election; people want change more than anything else, and Obama will crush any Republican. Experience does not win many presidential elections...if it did, Ford would have beaten Carter, Carter would have beaten Reagan, Bush 1 would have beaten Clinton, Gore would have beaten Bush 2. Obama is so clearly and uniquely positioned to win the general election.

PEACEFUL obviously you do not follow politics closely. If you think Hillary is running a negative campaign take a look at the Republican attack on Dukakis during the 1988 Presidential campaign. That attack was much more negative than anything Hillary has ran.
Hillary should be comended for the restraint she has shown as Obama is 'prime meat' for attacks especially wiht his admitted drug use. If Hillary really wanted to she could exploit Obama's admitted drug use and research how honest he truly has been about it. All Hillary has to do is find one person that contradicts what Obama has said, one person that can show that Obama's involvement with drugs was more than he has admitted, and Obama's run for the White House will end. Every night that Obama goes to bed he should be thankful that Hillary has, so far, decided not to exploit that weakness of Obama. If she does not exploit it Obama better get ready if he is the nominee because I can almost guarantee the Republicans will.

commenter Obama has been somewhat forthcoming about his drug use in his book and how many of us here can say the belive politicians 100% of the time? I am one that does not always believe politicians and in this case I do not believe he has been completely honest about his drug use. Even if he has been 99% honest all someone has to do is find that 1% discrepancy. Once they find it they choose they can exploit it, they can choose to spin it to make Obama look like he is being dishonest, or they can choose not to release it. In my opinion Obama has too many vulnerabilities to be President.

I cannot believe i am saying this but black people have been their own downfall since the beginning! We're not smart enough to ask the right questions but we are quick to be satisfied by wayward answers.
Why is it that we're not offended when Hillary gives a speech in front of us, taking on same ridiculous accent which she does not use when talking to other groups. Has anyone seen the speech she gave in Selma or I think it was Montgemery before the march to honor Dr. King? But i guess we can all hate Obama for actually talking to us like we actually have a brain. "He obviously doesnt sound or seem black enough like Bill."
I mean Hillary teaming up with Bob Johnson? Are you serious? the guy who created BET to insult our own intellegence and create negative stereotypes about us?
Lets just take a moment to ask ourselves what the hell it is Hillary has ever done for the African-American community (personally: meaning her not Bill!) to deserve any black votes. On the contratry Obama who passed up a lucrative job after graduating from Harvard Law, to work as a community organizer in Chicago's south side (plagued with urban decay), does not even get a fair evaluation. Just look up his record as a community organizer in the area.
I never recall Hillary championing any issues in the black community! I never even knew she cared! But I know everybody's rebuttal will probably be "well what about Bill?" and my answer is I will be diciding between Hillary and Obama, not Obama and Bill.

chuckles: Here's the problem with your argument. First, Obama has been honest regarding his past; in fact, if you had bothered to read his book you would realize that he was painfully honest, moreso than any politician around, certainly moreso than Bill "I didn't inhale" Clinton. So there's not anything more to be found out. Second, if there were, I guarantee you the Clinton camp would have found this out by now and would not have hesitated to use it. Do you really think after the sleaze they have released, that they would not have used anything they were able to find out? I also guarantee you that the Clinton camp appears to take its pages out of the Rove playbook, and if Obama can survive Hillary he can survive the GOP. What the GOP does have is a huge file on the Clintons, and they are salivating on using that. There are so many angles of attack on Hillary for the GOP that the only question is where to begin.

Can I sum things up? Johnson's statement was definitely intended to conjure up Obama's admitted teenage drug use. A low blow, but not the most offensive aspect to this. What is most troubling was the tortured attempt to lie about the intent of the statement. C'mon. The ease with which the Clintons and their lackeys lie is astounding. And episodes like this only reinforce my belief. I'm not understanding why Johnson's former wife divorced him and is a staunch Obama supporter. The guy is a tool.

This is just plain disgusting how low and dirty the Clinton's are sinking to try to win. Their lust and greed for power and the spotlight is going to sink our chances at claiming the White House in 08' if they keep up this crap. It's just plain getting outrageous how hypocritical they're getting, and I say this as someone who just a month before Iowa's caucuses was starting to think that maybe Clinton is our best choice in 08 because of Obama and Edward's flaws. Ever since their loss in Iowa the Clinton's have looked downright desperate in my eyes, and how they continue to fuel this controversy by trying to blame it on Obama proves that they think they can benefit from keeping it up. I don't think that the Clinton's are racists for what they said that started all of this however. If Hillary is the nominee now then I just might vote for Bloomberg if he runs, because no one this petty and dirty could make a good president (and I say that about Hillary having previously believed for over a year that she would probably make the best president out of the top tier democrats running).

So by that logic here's the sentence:
I am frankly insulted that the Obama campaign would imply that we are so stupid that we would think Hillary and Bill Clinton, who have been deeply and emotionally involved in black issues when Barack Obama was doing -community organizing-neighborhood that I won?t say what he was doing that he said it in his book,?
Yes that makes perfect since, in Clinton world

Bob Johnson should be ashamed at the comments that came out of his mouth. The way things have been going lately are just down right wrong. My view of the Clintons has definetly gone from bad to worse.Barack definetly has my vote and i hope he overcomes all of this negativity.

"Let me preface this comment by saying that while a Hillary supporter, up until today I respected Obama, and the Obama campaign, and if they'd won the nomination would have supported him, and voted for him. However, if he, his supporters, his surrogates, and his advocates continue this pathetic attempt to paint Bill and Hillary Clinton as closeted bigots and racists, I won't just NOT vote for him, I'll work my heart out to make sure he NEVER gets elected. He better remember that while blacks make up a sizable chunk of the Democratic Party, whites make up a FAR, FAR LARGER CHUNK, and using smears and phony charges of racism is going to alienate them from those white voters faster than they can say VOTE."
So okay I guess you have no issue if Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, people of mixed origin (remember those folks there's a lot of them now) and some whites, young people, and some unions go ahead and vote for a Republican. (McCain) I guess the DLC has done it's job-brining the Dems back to the way they were.
Wow so 2000 Bush did something horrible to McCain, why are people so blind and not seeing that someone is trying to do the same thing. Why does the media let the lies persist?

Does no one find it sad that the Obama campaign is able to play the victim card every time they get attacked in any way and get away with it while everyone freaks out if the Clinton campaign tries the same thing? My biggest complaint with Obama is the fact that he is a humongous hypocrite, and he once again proves it.

Jeez= HELLO, have ya'll not heard of BLACKWELL the cannidate for Gov. in OH -2006. RACE never came up, everyone (an I do mean everyone) voted AGAINST the nut. Why can a Dem running against a Repub attack his opponent on the issues (Strickland was not ever called racists) but a Dem running against another Dem feel the need to bring up the race card. There have been a lot of races w/non whites against whites (see LA gov's) that never descend to this. Why has HRC decided to do this (remember David Corn's uppity article).
Most people vote on the issues now HIll and if you are unable to bring up issues then most will vote against you.

ONE last thought: TO ALL OBAMA, EDWARDS, KUCHINICH, REPUBS SUPPORTORS
NEXT TIME BEN POSTS THIS STUFF, LETS ALL JUST POST TURN THE PAGE, OR PICTURES(OF ELEPHANTS?) OR TALK ABOUT THE WEATHER IN OUR TOWNS.

Unfortunately for Bob "All About the Money" Johnson, many African Americans feel and know he has insulted them for over 20 years with low quality stereotypical "Black" cable television programming. Before this former chief executive hustler of Black trash TV throws stones, he should know that many who expected better over the years realized that BET was an abbreviation for brain empty television.
Though he sold BET to Viacom ("The Man"), his legacy of disinformation and ignorance lives on in its continuing lack of substantive daily U.S. and global Black news or political coverage --- on a so-called Black oriented television network. Get real Bob, being Black is also about the content of YOUR character and deeds too.
Moreover, if Bob Johnson wants to be the last Black man standing on the Clinton political plantation, that's his right and choice. Just respect the fact and reality that the rest of us who are aware and informed prefer to be the ex-slaves moving forward with someone of real integrity and vision.
Dennis Moore, Chairperson,
District of Columbia Independents for Citizen Control (DCICC)
www.DCIndependents.org
dennis@DCIndependents.org

Was that Johnson's entire quote?? He didn't actually make a complete sentence, which would lead me to believe he only made the statement to take an unethical job at Barack. Seriously, what was he trying to say?
The Clintons need to go away, forever.

Politics is a blood sport; look at the Claridge's Insitute's synopsis of an IL US Senate Primary opponent of Mr. Obama's - namely - Mr. Blair Hull: "Hull's undoing was a story that broke less than a month before the primary. His ex-wife had sought an order of protection against him during their divorce in 1998. Hull tried to keep the divorce records sealed, but pressure from journalists and opposing candidates forced him to release them. The papers revealed that his ex-wife alleged that Hull had threatened her life, and that a physical altercation between them had led to his arrest for battery, though no charges were filed." What happens in a political campaign is for the voters to decide just as a jury ecides the eracity of witnesses. For both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama - let the "chickens come hometo roost".

its all gone backfire on her
just another factor I believe that is leading to the fall of America.... poor mr or mrs next president
and the real issue remains th econonmy and iraq .the new efforts and focus on surge and money will not work . sunni or latter

I may not agree with what I read, but I think it?s great that Americans are talking about what concerns them, since the media wants to anoint a candidate and give him the keys to the Oval Office without any investigation of his character and background. Isn?t it great the BHO has written two books, so our media can just repeat and spoon-feed us everything Obama has written? (Come to think of it, exactly why has Obama written two books? Is it to sell himself to us? Is it part of a creative marketing ploy with Oprah being part of his sales Team.)
Haven?t we learned during the last seven l-o-o-o-o-n-g years that politicians are chameleons that can change on a dime? None are to be trusted. Let's remember how Bush was sold to the American public by asking them, ?Who would you like to have a beer with? Invite to a barbeque?" Obama is a Chicago politician; just that should make you take a second and third look at his candidacy.
I want a new president who will keep us safe, improve the economy, get us out of Iraq with our honor intact, erase the deficit, provide jobs, offer options for the uninsured, and most importantly do all these things with integrity, so that we can look at the Office of the Presidency with pride once again. To vote responsibly, we have to carefully inspect the candidates. To do that, we can?t rely on what the candidates say about themselves or what they profess. Actions always speak louder than words.
I live in Illinois and voted for Obama to be my Senator. I frankly can?t believe that he asked for our vote, professed to care about representing Illinois, and then so quickly jumped ship, shirked his duties, and ran for president. What does that say about integrity? Yes, he is a fine speaker, but there are plenty of examples throughout history of people who stirred voters and then led them to the gates of hell. (Hitler quickly comes to mind.)
I have been looking through posts this week and here are some things that give me pause about him. I am including the websites that I got the info from, so that we the voters can empower our selves through dialogue. That?s right, MR Knowles, dialogue in the free market of ideas. You also are allowed to voice your opinion, but you have no more voice than any one of the rest of us.
*Absentee US Senator Barack Obama has missed 166 votes (37.6%) during the current Congress.
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/o000167/votes/missed/
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/primaryvoices/2007/12/obama_trys_to_have_it_both_way.html
**Obama?s connections to indicted Rezko.
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4111483
http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/184540,122306obama.article
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/01/10/ -rezko-connection-oba_n_80887.html
***Obama?s church awarded Muslim leader Louis Farrakhan, the man who has said "White people are potential humans - they haven't evolved yet,? its 2007 achievement award. (Racism is not just a White problem. What gives here? What if it?s all a game? )
http://www.guardian.co.uk/racism/Story/0,,530302,00.html
http://www.trumpetmag.com/pdf/nov_dec_magazines.pdf
****As reported by the BBC, Obama is a cousin to the Kenyan opposition Muslim leader Raila Odinga, whose followers began killing people when they didn?t like the results of an election. They locked the doors of a church where people sought refuge from slaughter and mayhem, doused the church with gasoline, and then set it afire to watch people die. (Odinga and Obama know each other. I?m imagining the PhotoOp of Odinga coming to the Whitehouse, hugging our president, and calling him cuz? Would we be ok with this? )
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7176683.stm
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-01-01-kenya-elections_N.htm
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/345728_kenya02.html
*****Finally, exactly how much do we know about his drug experience? Why are people attacked when they bring it up? If that is what Johnson was doing, good for him. Think of the types of jobs that you would not be allowed to hold if you were an admitted drug user. We are voting for the POTUS. People in the media and on the WEB who say this should not be investigated because he has made it public make me laugh. Bonds and Jones get creamed, but Obama gets a free pass. We are to accept only what he wrote about his past? If we do that is it going to bite us later? Is he likeable enough?

The issues being considered now - regardless of their merit - racism, drug use, biting endorsements, secular madrassas (huh?) must please the right wing immensely. I wish I were a Neocon Kool Aid drinker reading these threads because I would have justifiable hope that a right wing supporter is going to win next Nov. It doesn't really matter who it is, there's plenty to choose from, Rudy, Thompson, Romney, McCain, Hucakbee (when the chips are down) - take your pick. Until about a month or so ago they all seemed doomed to lose. But as time goes on, as the internecine Democratic battles continue, the Republicans increasingly stand a better shot. That's not to say, let up, or don't make it personal, or don't pick on any one candidate. In the meantime, however, the Democrat dynamic - No real magnetic platform at this point, unlesss you consider a promise to provide everyone with Healthcare an entire platform along with two candidates (2 1/2 if ya count Bill) battling like they're on a schoolyard playground - is failing miserably. This was the Democrats' election to lose, and as things are working out, they're doing a pretty good job of it. You gotta give the Democrats credit for that; they know how to lose. This latest fiasco is a key indicator. Why would a billionaire be so interested in making such a forcible endorsement? Because he believes Obama is hurting the black cause and deserves rebuke? No. Because, no doubt, he has ulterior motives, some of which are obvious when looking over his c.v.? One of his most prominent supporters over the years has been the Carlyle Group, the largest private equity firm in DC, with an active history in the Aerospace and Defense industries. George Bush Sr. was one of its senior advisors. It doesn't take a fertile imagination to put the pieces together: Bill + W's dad + an influential phone call/meeting = Hillary endorsement, which, at this strategic time would, supposedly, ameliorate the racial charges directed at Hillary. For the most part all of these matters are subterfuge and thus are distracting the nation from what should be the core issue - the "War on Terror," particularly the war in Iraq. It's now on the back burner, just where the Neocons want it. The networks display soldiers handing out bubble gum, markets open here and there, and, perhaps, a mention or two about how there are still some challenges left. Challenges? It's going on 5 years and it's not yet a country with a workable government. Suicide bombings are not infrequent. U.S. troops are dying at a hefty rate. Oil production has dwindled. Turkey's bombing northern Iraq because of terrorist attacks, which the U.S. basically ignores. Meanwhile, Kucinich and Paul have been largely ignored and, now, defenders of Obama are reduced to pointing out that BET has specialized in T&A. Wow. Following this strategy, let's see, who would you pull out of the bag next for the sake of misdirection? I know. Get Britney Spears to endorse Hillary; that way Hillary then gets the Infotainment faction while the American masses will wonder whether Hillary can help where, apparently, Dr. Phil failed. Remember: It's about the people. Just as long as the public forgets Bill's mission, Desert Fox - the '98 bombing of Iraq, Hillary's support for W's preemptive "War on Terror" after having familiarized herself with the PNAC (Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, et.al.) in '98 and its zealous intent to conduct widespread war throughout the Middle East, and Hillary's insistence that voting for Kyl-Lieberman will help diplomats negotiate better, when, arguably, it provoked the most recent encounter in the Strait of Hormuz. Yet sadly, it's not just W, Cheney, the Neocons, and Hillary - all supporters of the "War on Terror" - who are responsible for screwing this country up. It's the overall lack of clarity. It's the paucity of critical judgment you see virtually every you look. It's the propensity for distraction the public exhibits regarding virtually all profound issues.

I agree with those saying Ben is obviously very biased. He took Obama's response out of the main highlights section as soon as it was resonating with readers, and clearly edits titles/headlines to favor Clinton. I will personally stop visiting this site and go to cnn or msnbc or something.
and now i will leave you with a post I picked by Del(who i dont blame one bit) that I think we'll see more of soon and will eventually give Mccain the nomination if Hillary is indeed elected " it's now official. as a commmitted registered democrat, who wants to end the war in iraq, i will vote for john mccain over hillary clinton in a general election, should it come to that. this is indisputable, unacceptable, race-baiting, and it is now part of an unmistakably deliberate pattern. that it comes from the mouth of an african-american is irrelevant. this is not about civil rights, to which the clintons are committed. this is not about racism per se -- the clintons are not racist. this is about the willingness to disgustingly exploit racial divisions as a political tool to win elections. from this point forward, i will never cast a ballot for hillary clinton."
God bless you, and as a Democrat, I sincerely hope the diginified Christian that is Obama ends up winning this thing.

The divisive Mr. BET Bob Johnson has the Willie Lynch syndrome. I am canceling my subscriptions ASAP. Some argue that the Willie Lynch letter was a made up story but the actions of most Blacks in this country makes me think otherwise. What a shame! The Clintons have disapointed me BIG TIME; and I thought that Karl Rove was the master of dirty tricks. What makes it worse is that they celebrate their ill and childish attacks at Obama in the house of God.
Mr. BET, why are you so against your own brother? How much are you getting paid for that cheap favor? Are you a "yes master"? Why are you contributing to escalate the situation with your provoking immature jokes? The Clinton's past before and during the white house, their lies and other scandals that surrounded that first family doesn't tell you that you are pointing at the wrong person? How about yourself? I thought that AGE and 'experience' were important tools for leaders. I have NO respect for people like you.
If I recall, the first person to attack was Mr. "I did not inhale or did not have sex with that woman" Bill Clinton. It is perfectly okay for the Obama canpaign to react; but as far as I know, they did not want to play on those old and non progressive (like you) tactics. Why when a Black person is raising up, another insecure and jealous borther runs to destroy him/her? Don't be a crab Mr. Johnson!
Look, I have never been this upset. As a Black/Latina, I want to confirm my vote for my intelligent brother Barack Obama who can think on his feet, who will continue to fight a clean race. His name means "blessed" child of God. Remember, when you hurt your brother, you hurt yourself and others that look like you.
There is some truth to the Willie Lynch letter:
"... I have outlined a number of differences among the slaves, and I take these differences and make them bigger. I use fear, distrust, and envy for control purposes. These methods have worked on my modest plantation in the West Indies, and it will work throughout the South.
Take this simple little test of differences and think about them. On the top of my list is "Age", but it is there because it only starts with an "A"; the second is "Color" or shade; there is intelligence, size, sex, size of plantations, attitude of owners, whether the slaves live in the valley, on a hill, East, West, North, South, have fine or coarse hair, or is tall or short.
Now that you have a list of differences, I shall give you an outline of action--but before that, I shall assure you that distrust is stronger than trust, and envy is stronger than adulation, respect, or admiration.
The Black Slave, after receiving this indoctrination, shall carry on and will become self refueling and self generating for hundreds of years, maybe thousands."
Mr. Johnson, you should reconsider.
May God Bless you!
Thanks

Bob Johnson is the last person to talk about anyone being dishonest. The Obama campaign is not the reason why some African Americans were offended by what Hillary Clinton said; they heard the speech and drew their own conclusions.
They didn't need Obama's campaign to express their objections. There are many black people from Democratic Congressman to avergae citizens expressing outrage over what Hillary said.
The comment Johnson made about Obama's drug use was low. Why didn't he bring up Bill Clinton being dishonest about having sexual relations with an intern? Or better yet, why didn't he mention how he fooled black people into thinking that BET would be cable network that black people could be proud of? This is a clear example of how some in the black community like to bring others down; the crab in the barrel mentality. I am frankly insulted that Bob Johnson was dishonest when he created Black Entertainment Television, or as I call it; Bootleg Entertainment Television.
Johnson claimed that BET would be a one stop shop for news, entertainment and politics. The network would address issues of the black community. Well we all found out that was a lie. BET became the safe haven for exploiting common negative stereotypes of black people. He made billions off of exploiting black people.
Clinton stuck her foot in her mouth, and no matter what she meant to say, she said it and people commented on it. Instead of taking responsibility for what she said or meant to say, she is too busy trying to blame the Obama campaign for adding fuel to the fire.
The bottom line is this: Support a candidate because you believe in their plans for the country; not because you are in some type of pay back mode. You see some black people, especially some in the older generation, feel that since the Clintons supported some issues that affected the black community that we owe them our lives. That we owe them favors for as long as we live; and I say that is complete BS. We paid the Clintons for what they did, by voting for Bill Clinton during his run for second term in office; we don't owe them a thing now. I applaud the Clintons for their service to this country, but that doesn't mean that black people have to sign over their first born just because the Clintons supported causes that affected African Americans.

Those posts on blogs with headers like "Ben Johnson on Obama's past" denying race-baiting and denying the use of surrogates by the Clintons are positively surreal. Think about the header!
Think of all the things we could be posting about, but curiously the same themes pop up daily, and lately, a recurring them is the race question regarding Sen. Obama.
I guess if Sports Illustrated had most of their blogs with headers regarding steroids, sports enthusiasts would see hundreds of posts daily about steroids.
See how it works? Open a blog on race, get over a thousand posts, and it becomes a self-fueled engine of personal destruction.
That's why they've used race-baiting in the South for decades to win elections!
Sen. Obama needs to stay on message regarding unity and change, avoid Carville's tactics of race-baiting, and focus on the Clinton's corporate cronyism - e.g., the UnitedHealth Corporation scandal, the largest financial scandal in the history of American healthcare.

Johnson, former BET owner, has made his billions by peddling smut, sex and violence on his tv programs which has had a profoundly negative and damaging effect on our youth both in America and other countries which airs his shows. Obama has been trying to get rappers to put out postivie messages for our children and to denounce the negative and demeaning messages todate. I do not think he will miss Johnson's endorsement and would rather not have it.

Obama, BIracial don't forget, claims only to be of African descent.
He will go down in history as the greatest black American suckup in jistory.
PS. why does he hide that he is a smoker? Addictive personality????

Bob Johnson is so stupid that his comments made the Clintons look even worst. Does Johsnon think he speak for African Americans? Give me a break. I'm a black woman and each day I have to fight even harder to live above the images that BET portray of black women. Obama admitting his drug use only shows that he's honest. Lets not forget that majority of Americans have tried drugs. Many of you go there are addicted to prescription drugs, and yes, you too have used drugs. As for Hillary, she has the nerve to bring up Obama's past. Lets not got there. Your husband should be ashame of himself. The only thing he did for the black community is made us dependent on the government with social programs. They did not help Black America, they used us!!! But obviously, we do not read, we just take things at face value.

Good Riddance!!!! Name me one thing that has come out of Obama's mouth in all this race-baiting. He initially said: "No comment" on the MLK thing. Later on over the weekend he said: "the Clintons' comments offended SOME FOLKS who are not happy". Obama has stayed out of this. On the other hand. President and Ms. Clinton have each used words such as "comparing Martin Luther King Jr. to President Johnson in the Civil Rights Struggle", "fairy-tale" and they keep using those words. She also made SEXIST remarks and gestures including but not limited to :"Having a WOMAN president is CHANGE", the 'water-shed' pity moment. I have still to hear Obama say having a black president is change. As they say Res Ipsa Locuitur meaning the thing speaks for itself. Also google this up:"Mr. Obama, reflecting the different way he has talked about race during his own campaigns, took pains in speaking at a church service here on Sunday to avoid portraying his election as historic because of the possibility of putting an African-American in the White House" and you'll see how many articles you'll come up with. This is true. Whereas that's not what Clinton is doing. She's into being a "WOMAN PRESIDENT". For Obama is not about race as the facts show. You won't hear him say vote for me because i look different. Clinton has made the argument, and you and I know that those words about the "woman thing" have come out of her own very mouth more than one time. Obama has never uttered to be voted because of his physical traits. And even if Obama was playing the race card (which he is not), Clinton is playing both the race and the gender card. Who's worse?

This is what Obama said: ?We?re on the brink or cusp of doing something important; we can make history,? Mr. Obama said, speaking to a few hundred worshipers at the Pentecostal Temple Church of God. ?I know everybody is focused on racial history. That?s not what I?m talking about. We can make history by being, the first time in a very long time, a grass-roots movement of people of all colors.? COMPARE WITH CLINTON'S: "I think that having a first woman president is a huge change," said Clinton, raising her voice.
NOW TELL ME WHO IS RUNNING A DIVISIVE CAMPAIGN? WHO IS PITTING RACES AND GENDERS AS WE HAVE SEEN IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. WHO UTTERED THE FIRST RACIAL SMEARS? WHO HAS SAID ANY WORDS ON GENDER? THE ANSWER TO ME: CLINTON UTTERED THE FIRST racial smears and she is the only one yet to play the gender card.

What the hell is everyone getting their panties in such a wad. Obama did use drugs by his own admission that doen't mean we can't talk about it, thats not race baiting thats telling the truth, but most of you don't like the truth, you make up stuff, or bring up Bill's past what is the difference you know it all's, I have read all the crap you put out about Hillary and most of it is either untrue or exagerated or regurgatated from the media. If it wasn't for the medias bias we wouldn't even be having this conversation, but this is how Ben Smith makes his living so sure his going to jump in there and see how many of you who can't think for themselves remark with stupid, moronic s++t. Keep it up and this country won't even be worth saving. Seems like we need to learn how to speak chinese anyway.

Obama admitted his drug use....so what? We have all done thing sin our youth that we are not proud of. Clinton's drug use was exposed...he still was president. Bush used cocaine...still the president. I'm not so sure why the Clinton camp wants to rely so heavily on Obama's drug use when Clinton did it as well (among other things). It seems so desperate to me to even pull that card. Although I am not a Clinton supporter by no means do I feel they are racist...they just used a bad choice of words. As far as Bob Johnson, I was listening to the radio this morning and a caller made a interesting and very true point. As a billionaire and a prominent African American, his values are worthless. His daughter is an equestrian...she rides horses, while he condones other young african american women to ride something else via BET. In the end, the people will decide who is the most viable candidate but I pray they look at the policies/plans each candidate wants to implement once they are in office....not by this BS thats in the media right now.

The Clinton campaign strategy seems clear: first, turn the race into a referendum on race, thus grabbing a majority among white voters; then, split the African-American vote. Any amount of lying and distortion is par for the course, denying all the time that you have anything to do with your surrogates attacks. Then, having won the nomination on that strategy, go back to the African-Americans you lost to Obama and expect to get them because they have nowhere else to go. This might even work as a strategy to get the nomination, but it guarantees either (a) a Clinton loss in the general election, or (b) a razor thin majority and 4-8 years more of gridlock and national political disfunction. Given this scenario, it is not clear why anyone other than those with a lot to gain personally by a Clinton win would vote for her.

So what if Obama used drugs? Mr. Clinton and Mr. Bush II did and they've ruled for two terms. Besides. Mr. Clinton was and still is shady about his drug use. He DID NOT admit to it. It had to be dug up, yet he didn't inhale. Mr. Obama VOLUNTARILY told everyone. Who is the honest one whom you can trust the keys of the White house? One who didn't voluntarily admit and then later on said he did, but played games on whether on not he inhaled (how is that even possible? Who will even believe that sh#t?) OR somone who voluntarily admits and tells you of lessons learnt. I should add that clinton has not told us of any lessons learnt. Obama has been talking against drug use in relation to his own experiences. Mr. Clinton has not. The only time he mentioned drugs was with the zero tolerance. But he didn't relate it to his own use. No moral lesson. On the other hand: Mr. Clinton lied to the American people: "I didn't have sexual relations with that woman". committed adultery, and had all these bimbo eruptions and still became president for EIGHT years.

Divide, divide, divide... Senator Clinton is such a polarizing figure. This has been the stigma of her past and now we are witnessing the divides that are occurring among groups of voters because of her shifty personality and ill-placed comments. What she doesn't say has a dividing effect also. She hasn't stepped forward to discredit Bob Johnson's "doing something in the neighborhood" statement. So even if she wins the Democratic nomination and later the presidency, she will just continue to divide. Nothing would be accomplished in her tenure, and the United States would continue a rudderless path without social security, healthcare, immigration and economic reforms or advancements. Just imagine the divides she would create in Congress - President Hillary Clinton of the Divided States of America!

Of course, there's one option-- John Edwards. As one who thinks it's more important for Democrats to win in November than January or February, this is by far the best choice. At the risk of being simplistic, I believe there are three factors that voters will weigh before picking their next president: One, Will this President keep me safe? We live in a dangerous world -- even more dangerous thanks to many of George Bush's policies -- and the American people will not elect a President who isn't tough enough. And I think one way for Americans to determine if you're tough enough is to measure you by how you've responded to life's most painful challenges.
Second, Does this President have firm principles? In fairness to George Bush, I heard him say that the other night and he's right -- the American people will not elect somebody without conviction and backbone. Now my principles are the complete opposite of George Bush's, Thank God, but the bottom line is, you have to stand up for what you believe. And, third -- Do I Like This Guy? Or Gal? And I think there are a couple dimensions to that -- I think the American people want their president to be liked at home, and they want him to be liked and respected abroad. Now, the facts are undeniable there's another factor for our party -- when we Democrats have won the White House the last 50 or so years, we've won with a Southerner at the top of the ticket. In fact, the last time a non-Southerner won, JFK in 1960 beat Richard Nixon -- Richard Nixon!! -- by only 100,000 votes. We can debate all night about why this is, and what it means -- and I'm sure the folks from Chicago and New York would prefer to believe that this is a new day, but why risk it? Haven't we learned our lessons these last two elections? Don't we want to win in rural states, too?

Of course, there's one option-- John Edwards. As one who thinks it's more important for Democrats to win in November than January or February, this is by far the best choice. At the risk of being simplistic, I believe there are three factors that voters will weigh before picking their next president: One, Will this President keep me safe? We live in a dangerous world -- even more dangerous thanks to many of George Bush's policies -- and the American people will not elect a President who isn't tough enough. And I think one way for Americans to determine if you're tough enough is to measure you by how you've responded to life's most painful challenges.
Second, Does this President have firm principles? In fairness to George Bush, I heard him say that the other night and he's right -- the American people will not elect somebody without conviction and backbone. Now my principles are the complete opposite of George Bush's, Thank God, but the bottom line is, you have to stand up for what you believe. And, third -- Do I Like This Guy? Or Gal? And I think there are a couple dimensions to that -- I think the American people want their president to be liked at home, and they want him to be liked and respected abroad. Now, the facts are undeniable there's another factor for our party -- when we Democrats have won the White House the last 50 or so years, we've won with a Southerner at the top of the ticket. In fact, the last time a non-Southerner won, JFK in 1960 beat Richard Nixon -- Richard Nixon!! -- by only 100,000 votes. We can debate all night about why this is, and what it means -- and I'm sure the folks from Chicago and New York would prefer to believe that this is a new day, but why risk it? Haven't we learned our lessons these last two elections? Don't we want to win in rural states, too?

More of the Clinton, Inc. attack machine engaging in the politics of personal destruction. Instead of engaging on ideas, Clintons' attempt to personally destroy their adversary. It's time Clintons are sent to the ash heap of history.

One thing that we forget about this Obama's Iraq stance is the context in which he made the remarks that Mr. Clinton is referring and it is important to note that he made those comments IN PROMOTION OF KERRY'S AND EDWARD'S 2004 PRESIDENTIAL RUN: Obama refused to attack Kerry and Edwards on their Iraq war vote when the NY Times reporter asked him. Mr. Obama's political stance was clear. He was against the war. Now, because he didn't want to place Kerry and Edwards and the DEMOCRATIC PARTY and the WHITE HOUSE BY THAT TOKEN in an awkward position, he said what he said. Now, his selflessness and love for his party and generous statesmanship is now being twisted by Bill Clinton who supported the Iraq war then later, while campaigning for his wife, claimed that he opposed it from the beginning. Mr. Obama's official political stance on the Iraq war has never waivered. Moreover, in response to why he voted for funding the war, he has responded that he did so because he did not want to put the soldiers in trouble. The soldiers whom Ms. Clinton's vote had placed in harm's way. We all know that Mr. Obama's response to the NY Times reporter was just because he had the Democratic Party at heart and that question put him on the spot because had he responded truthfully, he would've been blamed for the Dems losing the presidency in 2004. he would've been called a sell-out. his response to the NY Times Reporter was very respectful of party principles, selflessness and you see someone who has the party at heart and not someone, here Bill Clinton, who will exploit statements made in light of supporting Dem. candidates in favor of his wife's campaign. Shame on you Bill. you've sunk to the lowest low ever on this one.

Hillary Clinton should have found Bob Johnson's comments about Obama offensive. She, OF ALL PEOPLE, should know a person deserves a second chance from past discretions. I'm so disappointed in her campaign. And no one has done more harm to Black culture than BET. I interned at BET years ago and it was common knowledge that BJ didn't care about the Black community, but only making money.

I was totally shocked to hear Bob Johnson's comment against Obama. I kept reading the comment to see if what I was reading was true. Mr. Johnson is using that old tactic of using black on black to diminish the effectiveness of a movement that's trying to bring our country together. Shame on you Johnson!!

...and yesterday on 'Meet', Hillary mentioned that Obama has said he doesn't take positions for political reasons. In her opinion, Obama's 2004 remarks to the NY Times journalist were a true reflection of Obama's stance on the Iraq war. This is ludicrous. Does this lady really tries to reason out what she says before she utters the words? Who doesn't know that Obama by saying that he doesn't take position for political reasons means that he does not take positions just in support of his own PERSONAL Political reasons. There is a difference. Political reasons can be both PERSONAL (SELFISH, SELF-CENTERED, EGO CENTRIC) AND POPULI (FOR THE PEOPLE, FOR A GENERAL GOOD). In this case, it shouldn't take more than a secondary school education to understand that Obama means he doesn't take positions for his personal/selfish political purposes. If, as was the case in 2004, it is for a common course, for the Democratic Party and for Kerry and Edwards, it made all the sense that he did that in the interest of the party. There was nothing that was inherently misleading in what he said. There was no harmful deceit. There was no deceit at all. Obama's response that: he did not know how he would've voted were her in the Senate - was a response for the POPULI and for a common course. It should be noted that Mr. Obama's response would've had a bigger effect on the outcome of the presidential race given the the star status that he received and had following his keynote speech. If an Al Sharpton or a Kucinich had made a similar statement, it wouldn't have had the same effect. Mr. Obama knew that all/many eyes were on him. He knew that anything he said because of the stardom he had at the time, could affect the elections. He knew that the Democrats wanted the whitehouse and so he did the politically correct thing, not for selfish political reasons, but for POPULI, for all Democrats. In fact, Obama could easily have stated that if he were in the SEnate he could've voted against and no one will lock him up in jail for saying that and in the present race, he'd be in the same spot (opposed to the war), but he didn't do that. Anyone who reasons like Ms. Clinton and supports her needs to check themselves into a psych. That's all i can say. Such people are narrow-minded, selfish and self-centered and will do anything just to win and not even think of the Democrats as a whole, like Obama did in 2004

Well, if 'pasts' are going to be brought up, why was Hillary not anti drugs when her husband admitted smoking pot (but did not inhale)?
On a broader moral scale, was Hillary not an enabler of her husband's behavior throughout their marriage? Should there not be some standards that adults following where there is a consistent pattern of infidelity and moral corruption?
It certainly causes one to ask the question, "why does one contend with that type of behavior for decades, unless one is of the believe there is going to be a 'payoff' in the future?"
I just wonder if Hillary is going to ask Sydney Blumenthal to step down due to his aggravated DWI?? Or does she treat this separate since he works for her???
QUESTION: Do the Clintons cause questions regarding their personal and collective integrity? ANSWER: YOU JUST BETTER BELIEVE IT!!!

As an African American woman who once thought very favorably of the Clintons, I am extremely disappointed that Senator Clinton has to resort to such tactics to vie for votes for the Democratic Presidential nomination. If she has 35 years of such great experience worthy of serving as the basis for becoming our next president, why can?t she simply run on this?
Among the many stupid mistakes that she has made in her campaign, she recently makes insensitive remarks regarding the legacy of Dr. Martin King whose leadership and efforts in enduring prison, beatings, and bombings not only galvanized other White Americans to participate in his movement for civil rights and demand racial equality for all Americans, but effectively forced President Johnson to succumb to political and moral pressure in proposing the civil rights legislation that she spoke of. African American leaders who rightly are incensed about these remarks are standing up for the legacy of Dr. King and this has absolutely nothing to do with Senator Obama?s viable bid for the presidency. She actually politicized Dr. King?s life?s work when she made the piss-poor analogy concerning herself and Senator Obama and President Johnson and Dr. King and now she wants to cry afoul and wrongfully implicate Senator Obama because of the fall out.
Now at this rally in South Carolina, she relies upon Bob Johnson, who although is a superior entrepreneur, has significantly contributed to the perpetuation of negative stereotypes and imagery of African Americans for years. He has continued to market this shameful programming of misogyny and a glorification of the street and drug culture as a means of entertainment and purportedly serving our interests. I have not watched BET in years and aside from his being extremely rich, Bob Johnson is certainly no hero, nor is he a champion for issues that directly impact Americans of African ancestry. If anything, his life works only speaks to our decline. He has and can never be a spokesman concerning our affairs, and I am frankly insulted that he would have the audacity of hope to think he is in a position to level such criticisms and that Senator Clinton would have that same hope to share in the spoils.

What is surprising is that people are surprised this has happened. What did you expect? A liberal love fest? lol Do you think Clinton would let this guy, who has been around only for about 10 mintues, take away "HER" nomination? she has been working for this back when Obama was snorting and selling coke. I am loving this as a Republican. Slash and burn and scorch the earth for us. lol!!

Critcism from the creator of Buffoonery Entertainment Television aka BET...?? surely you jest... I hardly find Bob Johnson credible as he has had a stern hand in denigrating the culture and image of African-Americans.

Johnson didn't even finish his thought: : ?As an African-American, I am frankly insulted that the Obama campaign would imply that we are so stupid that we would think Hillary and Bill Clinton . . . what, exactly? Got got lost on his own tangent.

"Why would you vote for an inexperienced, liberal Muslim former drug user?"
I've read some of the false reports floating around - most of them from right wing conspiracy theorists. Contrary to what they are saying, Obama is not Muslim and if he was really, honestly, would it matter? It's idiotic people like you who group all muslims in the catagory of "evil doers" that makes it easy for some sort of Christan Crusade against the muslim world. No I'm not a muslim but I sure in the heck don't follow the distorted doctrine of Pat Roberts and the rest of the NeoCons. Go some where else and smear your false tales. Don't you feel ashamed of yourself? Pathetic.
"But then again, I guess we ARE talking about the Democratic party here. And yes, he's a Muslim...raised a Muslim, went to a Muslim school at one point...so just joining some liberal "Christian" church isn't going to sweep that under the rug."
See this is where you screwed up - "liberal" "Christan" church? Seriously, why a Christian would go after some other church reminds me of Jesus Camp (scary movie for the uninformed). Claiming your church is better then the rest of the churches and christan beliefs - how stupid is this? You are a good cause for so much of the strife in dividing this country. Go conspire in the corner somewhere - that's just tasteless.

This doesn't surprise me at all. Disgusting people say disgusting things. Bob Johnson is exactly the kind of person John Edwards is talking about when he exposed the agents of status quo. Johnson is a token negro who was allowed to enter the back door of the exclusive money club. Despite his wealth, he is nothing more than a black pimp and gate keeper. That's how he made his money in the first place. It was made by shoveling immoral, offensive and crude music, videos and soft X-Rated entertainment filth down the throats of African Americans, without any sense of editorial integrity, or cultural sensitivity. His negativism was, and still is trumped by another gate keeper. That is Oprah Winfrey. But she is positive! she is a much bigger player than him in the same exclusive money club. And she connects with all of us who have the "Audacity to Hope!" I am much more proud of her, than I am disgusted with him. God stores people up for moments and times just like this. Often totally unbeknownst to the people themselves.
Bottom line. The Clintons will trot out all of their "House Negros" like Bob Johnson, Andrew Young, Magic Johnson and Al Sharpton to destroy Senator Obama. As I have said before, Obama's biggest challenge and his most vicious attacks will come from "Negros" like them. And I mean exactly what I said. They are "Negros" in the truest sense of that offensive other "N" word. They appear to be achieving something and represent progress. But in reality, Obama, Harold Ford, Deval Patrick, Colin Powell, Condi Rice, JC Watts, Nancy Pelosi, Oprah Winfrey and Jesse Jackson Jr. represent the real change and progress. The "House Negros" are virulent in terms of holding African Americans back as a culture. They do not want many or any to join them on their narrow, small elitist stage. They have the exact same loyalties, attitudes and prejudices as slavery era "House Negros". Obama is a huge challenge and threat to them. They can only win for their Master Pimp Clinton, by utterly destroying Obama. They are so narcissistic and destructive, they are blinded to the obvious fact. That us people of "Hope", recognize and see what they are doing. We see them clearly for what they are. And their negative, hostile actions against Obama will actually undermine and destroy all of their pimp boss's chances (Clinton) of winning anything.
Bob Johnson and others like him are too stupid and ignorant to realize that this is a "special", God appointed moment in time. And Barack Obama is his choice for that moment. He is ours as a gift, to accept or reject. But our choices definitely go on our records. We cannot ever approach God's throne with weak excuses and the jive rap music of the status quo crowd. This is the time to stand up and reject the status quo and all of the negative, divisive agents that prop it up. The Angels ride with Edwards and soar with Obama! Demons ride and swoop with Clinton and his buddies, the Bushs. But it is our decision to make until The Almighty says decision time is up; Game Over!
In conclusion, there are a lot of well meaning African Americans who legitimately support Hillary Clinton's Presidential bid. And they do so quietly and without the divisive and corrosive tactics used by Bill Clinton and his black hustler "Negro Brigade". The choices of the well meaning is fair game and part of the natural election process. It is about hope and aspirations. The choices of the "Negro Brigade" unfortunately, is about greed, favor and the crumbs from power. There aren't any good intentions from people like Bob Johnson, who are pulling the "Willie Horton" scam on Obama, as surrogates for Bill Clinton. What is very empowering and inspirational to me, is that many white Americans are putting this issue of race behind them and moving on. That's what the vote in Iowa and New Hampshire really showed. African Americans will move on right with them. And ultimately, the "House Negros" will be left behind, right with the "Horse Crackers" they deserve.

clinton is crazy for not denouncing these comments. bob johnson is completely disingenuous in his attempted explanation. it's not credible. johnson gives african-americans a bad name. johnson really exemplifies the reasons why that some blacks don't like other blacks.

I find it interesting that with so many black men and women serving time in jail for using marijuana or cocaine, that it is OK for Obama to being given a pass on it. During the time that Obama was using marijuana and cocaine......men were given felony charges for using these drugs and some were kept from getting law licenses because of these charges.....is it a crime or not? I guess if you are caught
its a crime and you are punished
but if you get away with it...you can run for President.

I find it sadly ironic that the two candidates, who proclaimed most stridently that they would not engage in the divisive polarizing unsubstantiated or at least irrelevant personal-attack politics that many in America attribute to the neo-conservative movement are the two candidates engaged most bitterly in just that. On a policy level I like a lot about these candidates, so please don?t assume that I add these comments to take advantage of their campaign malaise. I certainly bought-in to the idea from both Clinton and Obama of the merits of a clean straight up policy debates in a more balanced and respectful campaign. I mean that idea was part of their appeal. But now I really believe, watching this unfold, that both campaigns deserve a nice big dollop of blame.
Meanwhile for all that the Republicans seem less focused at this point with polling showing shrinking support and a sense that there?s no Star among them, they are certainly having a civil fairly substantive debate on the issues. With the exception of a pretty tame swipe at Rush, where?s the dicey politics on this side of the aisle? They?re even largely ignoring Giuliani?s messy life. There?s simply no Rove-equivalent running amuck on the right any more and frankly it?s pretty darn refreshing. Not that they don?t square off with each other. They do and that?s great, because it?s mostly over what they believe, what they have done, and what they would do.
Still I would offer an ameliorating remark about all these observations. We shouldn?t leave the media out of our analysis. Sure the politicians pull the media levers when they can, but sometimes we can easily tell that the media is trying to pull some political levers. Story titles regularly read ?Politician A attacks Politician B.? Politico is particularly fond of this blunt style of headlining, and if headlines were the only guide you'd think that every single candidate on both sides is slinging mud 24/7. Of course just like salacious stories in the National Inquirer, the reader often discovers that the headline was not particularly accurate. Perhaps it might have better read ?Pol A attacks Pol B?s position on ?? And if the politician were asked directly, they might say that it was more their intent to Challenge than to Attack. A subtle point perhaps, but if we want civility, that?s how you get it done. But then what would Politico and other sellers of stories be selling? Issues?

It has officially come to Black on Black crime for the Obama camp. Billary have found the perfect person for the crime. Republican, Bob Johnson. He has the nerve to make an attack, then be so chicken about it to change his story later.
If Johnson is referring to Obamas campaign work, why wouldn't he mention that? He skates around what he wants to say with negative undertones because he is talking about Obamas drug use as a teen. Johnson isn't relevant and he is a republican hybrid snake in the grass.
Google: Bob Johnson what is he up to
Hillary is ,by her words "a true black advocate" Then why are we only seeing blacks in your campaign in South Carolina? Were was Johnson in N.H. and Iowa? she and Bill plays so many blacks as dumb and naive....I just hope there are enough blacks voters that can see the Clintons for who they truly are.

To the guy asking where were Hillary's blacks in Iowa and NH....where are Baracks in the whole race....look who is running his campaign....all white men.
Also NH is 97% white and Iowa
is almost the same....there are
almost no blacks in those states.

What's ridiculous is that this clown claimed Bill & Hillary were some kind of champions for the Black community. Puhleez. With BET feeding our community a steady diet of pitiful portrayals of Black people, and the Clinton administration's heavy-handed, failed drug policies (designed to benefit private prison corporations), the Black family and the community are in far worse condition!

BET offers some of the most demoralizing and outright stereotypical views of and about black life on any network. Johnson sold the company to Viacom which is white owned. Who cares what this man has to say about Obama, or any black man for that matter. He is part of the problem, not the answer.

Bob Johnson has total disconnect to the Black Community. He claims that he will not take a backseat to being the #1 philanthropist in donations to the Black community?? I have always watched BET and I did receive some cultural nourishment from the programing but I also witnessed a lot of disgusting portrayals of African Americans in the programing as well. My point is not to bash Bob Johnson; he speaks for himself. It's to bring the attention back to what really matters. Barack Obama is waking up America. He is giving a new idea to a community that has lost hope. I mentor at the Boy's and Girls club and I asked one 6 year old boy "what do you want to be when you grow up" he replied "President like Barack Obama." You could have asked a 6 year that same question 2 years ago and he probably would have said rapper, or basketball player.His campaign means more to African Americans than many will ever grasp.

Mr. Johnson, please go hide back under a rock. Your remarks are ignorant and uneeded. You and your BET have set Black Americans back by 100 years...at least. You are not a role model for Black Americans as you have pointed out and your credibility is gone.

It is unfortunate that in the year of 2008 we would have a controversy over weather a Black Man is (Qualified) to run for the highest office in the USA. Bob Johnson, an icon and highly respected figure in the black community and the world would be at the center of this controversy, challenging the integrity of Barak Obama. I speak as a Black man who has respected Bob Johnson and his success over the past twenty years. Bob, blacks are not ignorant to what is going on in the world of politics and endeavor to make informed choices with their votes. Why are you using your celebrity to divide the black community and split the vote? This is appalling and continues to perpetuate the brainwashing set forth in the days of slavery. This brainwashing, more commonly known as the Willie lynch syndrome continues to resonate. Willie Lynch is still alive and well. In the 80s (Steve Wonder) said it like this ?Money Can?t Change Your Face?.
! Bob Bob!
HAS ANYTHING CHANGED?

Perhaps the Obama folk think you're stupid, BOB JOHNSON because you are. You were nothing more than a 2 cent, storefront preacher with your insult to Obama.
You are 2 days younger than Jesus Christ himself, STOP ACTING LIKE YOU DON'T KNOW!!!!!!!

It is unfortunate that in the year of 2008 we would have a controversy over weather a Black Man is (Qualified) to run for the highest office in the USA. Bob Johnson, an icon and highly respected figure in the black community and the world would be at the center of this controversy, challenging the integrity of Barak Obama. I speak as a Black man who has respected Bob Johnson and his success over the past twenty years. Bob, blacks are not ignorant to what is going on in the world of politics and endeavor to make informed choices with their votes. Why are you using your celebrity to divide the black community and split the vote? This is appalling and continues to perpetuate the brainwashing set forth in the days of slavery. This brainwashing, more commonly known as the Willie lynch syndrome continues to resonate. Willie Lynch is still alive and well. In the 80s (Steve Wonder) said it like this ?Money Can?t Change Your Face?.
! Bob Bob!
HAS ANYTHING CHANGED?

Black folk were patient as white folk ran the U.S. in the ground. Talk of experience? What George Bush gave us on experience, Micky Mouse could run this country.
We need something new other than a Bush and/or a Clinton.
What BOB JOHNSON said was a disgrace. I am sad for his jigga-boo antics and obvious pay-off.
Sell out those who don't know any better, BOB. People who are reasonably informed view you as a joke. How did get so stupid at your age?

I didn't like Mr. Johnson's comment. I especially didn't like that he said, "As an African- American...". He doesn't speak for me and I am an African-American. If Hillary gets the nominee, she won't be getting my vote! I will vote for a Republican first!

It is amazing to me how americans especially African Americans can allow themselves to be led by individuals who have no real concern about our well being until it is time to run for office. Bob Johnson got rich off of black individuals wanting to watch a program catering toward their community only to be exploited by him once he made his riches. This is the same individual that would only pay comedians 150.00 to appear on comic view but wouldn't pay for their hotel accomodations. Was that fair to the hard working brother or sister? Anyway this isn't about him but about the Clinton's and how all of a sudden they are black enough to speak for African Americans. Good point was mentioned about where was any black before South Carolina in her campaign but even more where has she been on issues when it comes to the black community (other than looking out for Al Sharpton or Jesses Jackson) both who have lost touch with the community unless it benefits them. They both have the Me Syndrome so they should fit in well with her beliefs. Hillary spoke on how she has been about change for 35 years. What change? All she has ever been was Bill Clinton's wife except when she was shredding important documents about potentially embezzeled funds (oh how many people forgot about that)? Wake up people and think for yourselves and Lead yourselves to the polls and vote for someone who has at least gone through some of the struggles you have. Raised by a single parent,Mother affected by the healthcare & insurance industry but still manage to remain focused through his own struggles (by admittance) and accomplish his goals of completing college (Harvard Graduate) becoming an attorney and a community activist not mention be a Husband and Father in these trying times. Yet still want to give others the same Hope and Faith he has for this Great Nation.I am from Chicago home of the NASTY Politics and rose above it then and he will RISE above it now. Look beyond the color of the skin and look at his Soul and you will find a Man who Cares. Now that is not Rethoric!!!! This country was built on second chances and Hillary had hers 2 fold when Bill sat in the office (twice) and still as a Senator she hasn't fought hard on the issues especially when she found out that Bush had lied about the invasion yet she still voted to give more money instead of saying no (she is a Republican dressed in a democratic blue dress). It is Truly Time For Change!!!!

as a black person i'm disowning bob johnson for falling into such a obv trap ...obama grew up in a diffrent time...when using drugs was kind of a social thing, not to say it's right but everyone has a past... (george bush, bill clinton) have drug use hanging over there head....bob jonhson needs to stick to making crapy tv and keep his lil grubby hands out of politics... i think he needs to apoligize to obama for trying to assansinate his character...maybe he should do it on bet.lol

As an african american woman I was so upset with Johnson's remarks re: Obama. He used black community when he was owner of Bet which was a slap in the face to black folks. He reminded me of a gheto pimp. I was ashamed of his comments. It just goes to show you that some people forget where they came from and too much money can turn you into an ASS

Bob Johnson, the nation's first black billionaire and founder of the BET cable is joke to African Americans around this country. He created a national television station which has encouraged the Socialization of Ignorance toward African Americans in this country.
Black Entertainment Television has made African Americans youths in this country think the only way they could achieve success was through pursing rap contracts rather than through education. His station has shown African American women if they don't shake their behinds in someone?s video they cannot get ahead. As a father of girls I don't support this way of thinking. Corporations in this country have denied African Americans economic opportunities simply because of the images Mr. Johnson BET television have portrayed to the world about African Americans culture.
He has created an environment where the world thinks of every African American as ignorant and we like to have ours pants hanging off of our behinds. He has created an environment where it is acceptable to degrade women especially African American women. I am disappointed in Mr. Johnson.
We see how involved Bob Johnson is in black issues. How can he twist his tongue to talk about morality? He has African Americans performing as a minstrel show for the world to see. How can he talk about what the Clinton?s have done for African American people when he continues to exploit them for his own personal gain? What have the Clintons done for the African American people? They have only served the black social elite of this country not the hard working people in this country.